Simulation and Dissimulation
Meaning of Dissimulation and Simulation.
Dissimulation (hiding under false appearances ) is a kind of weakness and shows lack of wisdom or judgment. It implies that the dissembler does not know when to tell the truth and does not have the courage to tell it. If a man is wise enough to know what things are to be revealed, to whom, and when, then he should not dissimulate. But it is necessary for those who lack this capacity. Dissimulation is negative. It means that a man tries to hide his real self under false appearances. He drops signs and hints to show that he is not what he really it. Simulation, on the other hand, is positive or affirmative. It means that a man intentionally tries to appear what he is not.
The Three Degrees.
There are three degrees of this hiding and veiling of one's real self.
(1) Closeness, Reservation, and secrecy.
(2) Dissimulation, or hiding one's real self under false appearances.
(3) Simulation i.e., posing to be what one is not.
(1) Secrecy.
The first degree i.e., Secrecy is desirable. It is the virtue of a priest who hears confessions. Mysteries are due to secrecy. It for nakedness is ugly both in body and in mind. Those who talk and reveal all their minds are generally frivolous and credulous. They have no depth in their natures. Bacon commends the habit of secrecy and calls it both "politic and moral". A man should not allow his face to reveal his real self, for the face reveals more than the tongue, and is more easily believed.
(2) Dissimulation.
The second, Dissimulation, follow necessarily upon secrecy. One who would be secret, must also be a dissembler to some degree. people would not easily permit him to be secret. They would annoy him with questions of all sorts, and it he wants to hide the reality, he would have to put them off through false signs and hints i.e., he would have to dissimulate. Bacon, therefor, calls dissimulation the, "skirts of train of secrecy".
(3) The third, Simulation, or false profession, is a moral wrong and not so politic and advisable as the
other two degrees. It should, therefore, be practiced rarely, and only in matters of importance.
Advantages.
There are three advantages of Simulation and Dissimulation.
(a) They lay asleep opposition, and cause surprises when the reality is disclosed. On the other hand, it all the plans and intentions are revealed, the opposition would be able to prepare itself in advance.
(b) They enable a man to have a fair retreat, if he finds that his aim cannot be achieved. On the other hand, if a man has revealed his plans he must carry them through or suffer defeat.
(c) Through a concealment of one's own intentions, one can easily know the truth about others. The Spanish proverb, "tell a lie and find a truth", has much wisdom in it .
Disadvantages.
Simulation and Dissimulation have three disadvantages also:
(1) They are signs of fearfulness and lack of confidence. Therefore, in any business the maximum success cannot be achieved.
(2) People are perplexed and confused by the secrecy practiced by dissembler. He fails to win the co-operation of others. He has to work almost alone to achieve his ends.
(3) The dissembler cannot get the faith and confidence of others, and this is indispensable for success in life.
Conclusion.
The best is to have a reputation of honest and fair dealings:
Secrecy in habit; judicious use of dissimulation; and an ability to assume false appearance i.e, to simulate when there is no other alternative.
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