There’s a Movement in America to Embrace Wisdom, Here’s How it Happened
Several years ago, someone forwarded an email from a guy I had never heard of named Ryan Holiday, quoting Roman thinkers and leaders. I had no idea what Stoicism was, nor did I care much about philosophy. Neither did many people I knew. Today, there is a movement amongst millennials and Gen Z’ers toward ancient wisdom. Podcaster Rich Roll commented on this movement in his podcast this week; and wisdom podcasts like Philosophize This and The Partially Examined Life are becoming more and more popular.
The quote from Seneca in Ryan’s email got me going, and in the years since I have gone deep into all the world's major philosophies. Today, after relying on such wisdom and perspective to help me become a better man, I am supremely stoked about the implications of this movement on American society. There is some incredible wisdom that people have passed down to us. These aren’t just random people; there weren't enough resources in ancient times to write down all the stupid shit that most humans came up with; they wrote down the most intelligent, most essential things. And it turns out, to my surprise, that it doesn’t matter what part of the world these wisdom givers came from because they all pretty much said the same things and taught the same lessons (this is called “perennial philosophy”). As a society, we haven’t been taught these lessons, and I wrote this to summarize why we haven’t been taught these things; why America has for so long ignored the teachings of history’s greatest thinkers.
Beginning with the Puritan settlers in the 17th century and continuing to the present day, each generation of Americans has been shaped by its unique philosophical outlook. Each has contributed to the ongoing dialogue that is the story of American philosophical thought; here’s a brief history.
Anchored by Puritanism. The Puritan settlers, who emigrated to America from England, brought with them a worldview that was heavily influenced by Calvinism. This theology emphasized the sovereignty of God, the depravity of humanity, and the importance of divine grace in salvation. This worldview shaped the cultural values and beliefs of the Puritans and was reflected in how they organized their communities, conducted their religious services, and raised their families. The Puritans in England faced significant political and religious turmoil in the decade preceding their emigration. The Tudor dynasty, which had ruled England for over a century, had come to an end and was replaced by the Stuart dynasty. The new monarchs, King James I and later King Charles I, attempted to impose their authority over the Puritans and enforce religious uniformity. This led to increased repression of Puritanism, including persecution, imprisonment, and execution of Puritan leaders. In response, many Puritans chose to emigrate to the American colonies in search of religious freedom. These people anchored the culture in America, and one of their central tenets was “no one tells us what the fuck to do.” So, from the beginning, America wasn’t set up to trust any sort of authority.
Enlightenment. The culture didn’t change much until the 18th century, when the Enlightenment, with its emphasis on reason, science, and individual freedom, profoundly impacted American philosophical thought. The second generation of Americans was heavily influenced by this movement and its ideas, which were in stark contrast to their grandparents' religious and moral worldview. The Enlightenment led to a greater focus on secular values, such as democracy, equality, and the pursuit of happiness, and shaped the new nation's political, social, and cultural landscape. So, this was even more of a rebellion against any sort of authority - it was a rebellion against all power - so any suggested “ways of being” were viewed with suspicion. Ancient wisdom got little respect because “Americans can do it better”...
Pragmatism. In the 19th century, pragmatism emerged as a distinct philosophical movement in America, driven by thinkers such as William James and John Dewey. This philosophy emphasized practical and functional aspects of life and saw truth determined by its consequences. This emphasis on practicality and utility was reflected in many areas of American society.
More Individualism. In the 20th century, American philosophy continued to evolve as new ideas and movements emerged, and old ones were reinterpreted and re-evaluated. This period was marked by a greater focus on the individual, emphasizing personal growth, self-expression, and spirituality. This trend was reflected in the popularity of various New Age and countercultural movements, such as the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which rejected the dominant cultural norms and sought a more authentic and meaningful way of life. This period laid the foundation for today’s movement.
Today. So here we are, expanding our collective consciousness amidst a revival in interest in ancient philosophy and wisdom. We are also armed with all the impressive inventions and mountains of wealth that our preceding generations built in the name of “fuck the man, I’m getting mine.” That attitude is still in our DNA, but it’s tethered to a more powerful demand for meaning, purpose, and guidance.
We’re getting better - America’s best days are 100% ahead of us. Soon enough, the Baby Boomers (to whom we owe a debt of gratitude) will transfer power to a generation of leaders who are better-equipped to do good, armed with everything our ancestors passed onto us, but also now with the power of the wisdom that perennial philosophy teaches: 1) to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, 2) to practice mindfulness and meditation, and 3) to engage in acts of service.
