Morality is the tendency to pour out the baby with the bathwater” is a metaphorical phrase that suggests that in our pursuit of morality, we often discard valuable or essential aspects along with the undesirable ones. The phrase “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” is a common idiom that means to discard something valuable while trying to get rid of something undesirable.

In this context, the “baby” represents the essential and valuable elements, while the “bathwater” symbolizes the undesirable or harmful aspects. The quote implies that in our quest for moral purity or righteousness, we might inadvertently eliminate important elements of our humanity, such as compassion, tolerance, or understanding.

Applying this to today’s world, it could refer to the tendency to adopt a black-and-white perspective in our moral judgments. For instance, in the era of cancel culture, a person’s entire character or career can be condemned due to a single mistake or controversial opinion. This is akin to “throwing out the baby with the bathwater” as it disregards the possibility of growth, change, or the presence of redeeming qualities.

In terms of personal development, it suggests the need for balance and discernment. It’s important to strive for moral improvement, but not at the cost of critical aspects of our humanity, such as empathy and understanding. It’s about learning to separate the bathwater (negative traits or actions) from the baby (the essential self or the potential for positive change). This requires a nuanced understanding of morality that recognizes the complexity of human nature and the potential for redemption and growth.