Journal article
Too much of a good thing: Differentiating intellectual humility from servility in higher education
Journal of moral education, Vol.52(1), pp.21-33
03/01/2023
DOI: 10.1080/03057240.2022.2126829
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that intellectual humility (IH) might facilitate (a) better learning outcomes, (b) more scientific mindedness, and (c) better peer and professional relationships. However, recent philosophical work has raised concerns that too much IH might lead to intellectual servility (IS), and thus might be vicious (albeit not blameworthy) rather than virtuous. We define IS as a disposition to over-own one's intellectual limitations and disregard one's intellectual strengths. We begin by outlining the importance of distinguishing IS from IH, noting that marginalized social groups (e.g., students of color) may be at greater risk for developing the vice of IS than the vice of intellectual arrogance. Then, in a sample of 94 racially diverse undergraduate students, we provide evidence that IS may be detrimental in educational contexts. IS was positively related to maladaptive perfectionism, and it was negatively related to civic engagement, conscientiousness, and openness. We conclude by discussing implications for fostering virtuous IH in higher educational settings. Namely, if IH interventions do not correct for the possibility of over-owning limitations, we risk exacerbating IS.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Too much of a good thing: Differentiating intellectual humility from servility in higher education
- Creators
- Stacey E. Mcelroy-Heltzel - University of IowaDon E. Davis - Georgia State UniversityJoshua N. Hook - University of North TexasHeather D. Battaly - University of Connecticut
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of moral education, Vol.52(1), pp.21-33
- Publisher
- Routledge
- DOI
- 10.1080/03057240.2022.2126829
- ISSN
- 0305-7240
- eISSN
- 1465-3877
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100007926, name: University of Oklahoma, award: Grant: SP00013912-01
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/01/2023
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
- Record Identifier
- 9984371113302771
Metrics
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