Author Ryan Holiday slammed Trump’s daughter for reducing Stoicism to a bauble, showing along the way how nonpolitical influencers can find their anti-authoritarian voice.
A marvelous article, thank you, Matt! I've been following Ryan for years, and his outspokenness about the Trump family didn't surprise me—it is truly who he is. I too was skeptical of him initially, as so many influencers and self-help gurus ultimately seem to care only about the almighty dollar. While Holiday has undoubtedly prospered from his Stoicism expertise (which he has devoted his life to), he's no money-grubbing, unethical hypocrite. For anyone who actually makes the effort to read his numerous best-selling books, listen to his engaging podcasts, or watch his public appearances, it's clear he's as authentic and principled as they come.
I respect him even more now for his willingness to call out the moral vacuousness of the Trump clan and the MAGA movement. The damage they've caused to our public sphere, and indeed to the very existence of our democracy, ranks them among the most malevolent forces in modern history. Kudos to you, Ryan Holiday—and to Matt for writing this! THIS is why I'm a proud Bulwark member and fan!
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover recently featured Ryan Holiday and General Mattis. It was an interesting conversation. Findable on youtube or pbs passport
Here's something that gives me hope: the amount of interest in civic life from people living in Cincinnati, both at the city and neighborhood level. People of all ages, too; I've gotten to know a very energized group of 20 and 30-somethings volunteering their time to making life better here.
Our monthly neighborhood community council meetings regularly draw 20-30 people (or more). Once engaged, people are signing up to help with neighborhood committees like beautification, litter patrols, event planning, and traffic safety.
Last weekend I took part in a panel discussion across the river in Covington, Kentucky, about what makes a livable city. My role was to talk about how ordinary people - not political leaders, council members, urban planners or traffic engineers - can help make their walkable neighborhoods safer for people outside of cars.
The national situation is abysmal. But I can't believe Cincinnati and Covington are unique. I believe there must be more people all over the country waking up to the importance of civic involvement, and joining together to improve life in their own communities.
It's the best way I know to rebuild hope in ourselves and our institutions. Maybe it will even make a contribution to ending this era of greed and grift.
Thanks for this article. I have read and re-read both Marcus Aurelius and Epicticus and unlike a few commentors, and like Mr. Holliday, find their Stoic philosophy both pertinent and helpful for these trying times. That's the point of this philosophy: it provides a much needed template for living an honorable life in this dishonorable age.
Philosophy be damned. I really don’t care about the brain masturbation going on here. And I don’t have the time or inclination to try to understand your point. And really, do you think I care what goes on in Ivanka’s soulless little mind?
Everything Ivanka Trump says is entirely performative and part of her brand. Any serious person is best to avoid her thoughts. Stoic philosophy is historically interesting, but its relevance to current times is very questionable. It’s very easy to see that the Trumps whose natural environment of purple prose as contained in the tabloid press can move into the purple world of caesarism.
> "Stoic philosophy is historically interesting, but its relevance to current times is very questionable."
That's the first time I've seen someone express the idea that stoicism is locked to a particular time period. Do you feel that applies to _all_ of it, or just certain aspects?
The MAGA and manosphere infatuation with Stoicism has always struck me more as something of a fashion. It's really popular for them to wear their Stoicism, but when it comes to actually practicing it, their dedication drops off the cliff. I'd say it's much the same syndrome as you see with MAGA Evangelicals, and MAGA Christians generally. They righteously thump their Bibles while betraying all the red ink they contain.
When you have a movement based on grievance, your movement cannot authentically claim allegiance to the tenets of Stoicism. If you have a movement based on revenge, Jesus probably would disown you.
One of the most insidious and upsetting aspects of todays political "discourse" is the way that every single word, phrase, quotation, or philosophy associated with enlightenment thought is looted and melted down for prestige while discarding all associated meaning.
Also, quick editorial fix:
"Holiday gave a personal speech about the horror of seeing unmasked agents..."
Should be "masked agents", and Substack should have a better way to report these things.
Thank you for pointing me to the convo with Holliday, Miller and JVL. Hadn’t seen that one!
Misunderstanding foundational philosophical texts seems to be a recurring problem in what passes for “rational” discourse these days.
TDS should be the clinical description of what infects his cult...
I read Holiday's Daily Stoic as a daily devotion. Stoicism teaches that life is best spent seeking virtue, not fame and fortune.
Just the other day i was pondering..."Where is Ivanka". Now we know she is off somewhere being...stoic. OY...ick!
For MAGA, Stoicism is for the rest of us so we can accept their rape of our health, our education, our freedoms, and our country.
A marvelous article, thank you, Matt! I've been following Ryan for years, and his outspokenness about the Trump family didn't surprise me—it is truly who he is. I too was skeptical of him initially, as so many influencers and self-help gurus ultimately seem to care only about the almighty dollar. While Holiday has undoubtedly prospered from his Stoicism expertise (which he has devoted his life to), he's no money-grubbing, unethical hypocrite. For anyone who actually makes the effort to read his numerous best-selling books, listen to his engaging podcasts, or watch his public appearances, it's clear he's as authentic and principled as they come.
I respect him even more now for his willingness to call out the moral vacuousness of the Trump clan and the MAGA movement. The damage they've caused to our public sphere, and indeed to the very existence of our democracy, ranks them among the most malevolent forces in modern history. Kudos to you, Ryan Holiday—and to Matt for writing this! THIS is why I'm a proud Bulwark member and fan!
Whenever I think about Ivanka Trump, I wonder how she feels about her mothers death and final resting place
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover recently featured Ryan Holiday and General Mattis. It was an interesting conversation. Findable on youtube or pbs passport
https://youtu.be/3Yrs7aMUi5A?si=pbaf6Wh_eGnvlR_R
Here's something that gives me hope: the amount of interest in civic life from people living in Cincinnati, both at the city and neighborhood level. People of all ages, too; I've gotten to know a very energized group of 20 and 30-somethings volunteering their time to making life better here.
Our monthly neighborhood community council meetings regularly draw 20-30 people (or more). Once engaged, people are signing up to help with neighborhood committees like beautification, litter patrols, event planning, and traffic safety.
Last weekend I took part in a panel discussion across the river in Covington, Kentucky, about what makes a livable city. My role was to talk about how ordinary people - not political leaders, council members, urban planners or traffic engineers - can help make their walkable neighborhoods safer for people outside of cars.
The national situation is abysmal. But I can't believe Cincinnati and Covington are unique. I believe there must be more people all over the country waking up to the importance of civic involvement, and joining together to improve life in their own communities.
It's the best way I know to rebuild hope in ourselves and our institutions. Maybe it will even make a contribution to ending this era of greed and grift.
Thanks for this article. I have read and re-read both Marcus Aurelius and Epicticus and unlike a few commentors, and like Mr. Holliday, find their Stoic philosophy both pertinent and helpful for these trying times. That's the point of this philosophy: it provides a much needed template for living an honorable life in this dishonorable age.
Nailed it!
Philosophy be damned. I really don’t care about the brain masturbation going on here. And I don’t have the time or inclination to try to understand your point. And really, do you think I care what goes on in Ivanka’s soulless little mind?
Everything Ivanka Trump says is entirely performative and part of her brand. Any serious person is best to avoid her thoughts. Stoic philosophy is historically interesting, but its relevance to current times is very questionable. It’s very easy to see that the Trumps whose natural environment of purple prose as contained in the tabloid press can move into the purple world of caesarism.
> "Stoic philosophy is historically interesting, but its relevance to current times is very questionable."
That's the first time I've seen someone express the idea that stoicism is locked to a particular time period. Do you feel that applies to _all_ of it, or just certain aspects?
I think it may have relevance on a personal level, but does not capture or explain the current zeitgeist.
Ah! Thanks for the clarification.
The MAGA and manosphere infatuation with Stoicism has always struck me more as something of a fashion. It's really popular for them to wear their Stoicism, but when it comes to actually practicing it, their dedication drops off the cliff. I'd say it's much the same syndrome as you see with MAGA Evangelicals, and MAGA Christians generally. They righteously thump their Bibles while betraying all the red ink they contain.
When you have a movement based on grievance, your movement cannot authentically claim allegiance to the tenets of Stoicism. If you have a movement based on revenge, Jesus probably would disown you.
One of the most insidious and upsetting aspects of todays political "discourse" is the way that every single word, phrase, quotation, or philosophy associated with enlightenment thought is looted and melted down for prestige while discarding all associated meaning.
Also, quick editorial fix:
"Holiday gave a personal speech about the horror of seeing unmasked agents..."
Should be "masked agents", and Substack should have a better way to report these things.