Here’s a relatively common pattern:
Adam publicly advocates for strong legally-enforced animal rights; but privately beats his dog.
Bruce doesn’t believe in animal rights, but disapproves of cruelty to pets; he labels Adam a hypocrite.
Adam’s claimed morals are more strict than Bruce’s on the subject, but Adam’s behavior fails both Adam’s and Bruce’s claimed morals.
In this case, Adam should not get to argue, “Bruce, you don’t even believe in animal rights, so you don’t get to accuse me of hypocrisy.”
Here’s a relatively common pattern:
Adam publicly advocates for strong legally-enforced animal rights; but privately beats his dog.
Bruce doesn’t believe in animal rights, but disapproves of cruelty to pets; he labels Adam a hypocrite.
Adam’s claimed morals are more strict than Bruce’s on the subject, but Adam’s behavior fails both Adam’s and Bruce’s claimed morals.
In this case, Adam should not get to argue, “Bruce, you don’t even believe in animal rights, so you don’t get to accuse me of hypocrisy.”