What is Social Appropriateness?

Abstract

The principal objective of this chapter is to identify the most salient properties of social appropriateness or etiquette. First, the chapter contrasts the view of many contemporary Western philosophers, who reject a conceptual connection between etiquette and morality, with that of Confucianists, who argue such connections exist. Second, by identifying examples in which socially appropriate behaviour and morally justifiable behaviour conflict, we reject the Confucianist claim that adhering to norms of etiquette is essential to morally good action. Third, we then identify the prominent features of social appropriateness including interdependence of action, conformity, publicity, and overlooking slight noncompliance. Finally, we pose the question whether an individual’s past of grievous wrongdoing could render her morally undeserving of participation in the practices of etiquette. By emphasizing the importance of moral merit to our ordinary moral practices, we conclude that the norms and practices of socially appropriate behaviour are not completely divorced from morality as many contemporary Western philosophers argue, even if they are not inherent to morally good action as the Confucianists would have it.