Hubris
Hubris or hybris (Greek ‛′Υβρις) referred in Ancient Greece to a reckless and violent disregard for the personal space of another person resulting in some kind of social degradation for the victim. According to its popular modern definition hubris is exaggerated pride or self-confidence often resulting in fatal retribution.
Hubris in ancient times
Hubris is a common theme in Greek tragedies and mythology, whose stories often featured characters suffering from hubris and subsequently being punished for it. In Greek law, it most often refers to violent outrage wreaked by the powerful upon the weak.
There was also a goddess called Hubris (‛′Υβρις), or Hybris, the embodiment of the above concept: insolence and lack of restraint.
The original "hubristic" characters in Greek literature are Penelope's suitors in Homer's Odyssey. They are eventually made to pay for their presumptuous encroachments on the household of Odysseus.
Hubris has in the past been cited as the "hamártia" ("error") of characters in Greek tragedy. The "nemesis" (némesis), or destruction, which befalls these characters, however, generally comes from the gods, whereas hubris refers for the most part to infractions by mortals against other mortals!
Hubris in modern times
Modern negative consequences of actions stemming from hubris appear to be associated with a lack of knowledge, interest in, and exploration of history, combined with overconfidence and a lack of humility. The common reference is 'The false pride that comes before the fall'.
Hubris as a pejorative term is often applied in the political realm. As hubris is associated with power, it is often used by persons associated with political parties that are out of power against those who are in power, specifically with regard to a perceived abuse of power.
Hubris has been suggested as one of the three virtues of successful programmers, according to Larry Wall. It is "the quality that makes you write (and maintain) programs that other people won't want to say bad things about." The other two virtues are laziness and impatience.
References
- Fisher, Nick (1992). Hybris: a study in the values of honour and shame in Ancient Greece, Warminster, UK: Aris & Phillips. A book-length discussion of the meaning and implications of hybristic behavior in ancient Greece.
This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, a publication in the public domain.
