Introduction
Humility is an elusive idea.The mystery of humility lies in the fact that we can intuit the sense of it inwardly, yet when it is externalized and articulated outwardly it becomes difficult to ascertain its authenticity.
Research conducted by Weidman, Cheng, and Tracy (2018) indicates that there are two distinct forms of humility — “appreciative”, which infers a positive self-esteem and strong sense of worthiness, and “self-abasing”, which infers the opposite. In past societies governed by pseudo-religious norms and rituals, the self-abasing form of humility was dominant, however, with the dawn of secularized philosophy and values in Western democracies the appreciative form of humility has gained considerable traction.In the current context, it is important to differentiate between the notions of humility (selfimposed) and humiliation (other-imposed). While they share the same grammatical roots, they should not be confused or conflated as is often done in contemporary public discourse. Humiliation refers to “actual or perceived feelings of devaluation, shame, and rejection [intentionally inflicted] by others” (Chancellor and Lyubomirsky, 2013, p. 828). Humility, on the other hand, according to researcher and author Steven Sandage, refers to a: “Realistic self-awareness of one's strengths and limitations, the capacity to regulate emotions of shame and pride, and a concern for others” (Barlow, 2017, p. 2).
The research challenge has been to find ways to legitimately and effectively measure what humility is, and how it influences the way we think and act, both as individuals and collectively. Researchers Davis and Hook (2013) maintain that there is enough evidence to make five positive claims with relative assurance about the functions and impact of humility. These are: 1.) Humility is accurately judged under strain, 2.) Humility is more easily observed in others than in one's self, 3.) Humility strengthens relational and social bonds, 4.) Humility optimizes competitiveness while simultaneously keeping relationships intact, and 5.) Humility is connected to better health outcomes (Davis and Hook, 2013, pp. 2—3).
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