Tangible status benefits are required for esteem to be perceived

Evidence

But as the economic philosophers Geoffrey Brennan and Philip Pettit write, esteem is only “an attitude, not an action,” which “may or may not be expressed in praise or criticism.” To discern that we are esteemed, we need concrete evidence in the form of kind words, pleasant facial expressions, careful body movements, and the granting of spontaneous favors. Imagine a twist to the Lassie episode where the real King’s Royal Lassie makes a surprise appearance, and the dog-show chairman utters in a lifeless monotone, “We greatly respect you,” yet grants no VIP passes nor hotel suites. King’s Royal Lassie would hardly feel esteemed. … So, even if we are seeking esteem rather than superior treatment, we need some form of superior treatment to perceive the esteem. The demand for tangible status benefits thus can’t be separated from a desire for respect. — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 65

Categorization

• XREF: Reinforces the signaling/Economics of Convention work already in the library on how markets need cheap formalities and legible signals. — connects to: Perceiving esteem requires tangible superior treatment, not just words — W. David Marx, Status and Culture: How Our Desire for…, 65

Broader Connections

• Perceiving esteem requires tangible superior treatment, not just words #expands (0.95) — W. David Marx, Status and Culture, 65