Lives Well Lived

RUTGER BREGMAN: the pursuit of moral ambition

15 snips
May 8, 2025
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch historian and advocate for social reform, discusses the crucial need for moral ambition in addressing global challenges. He delves into the founding of his School for Moral Ambition, emphasizing learning from history to inspire modern activism. Topics like universal basic income and a 15-hour workweek highlight pragmatic solutions to poverty. Rutger shares thoughts on finding purpose beyond mere happiness, underscoring the importance of community-driven efforts and the role of political engagement in effecting meaningful change.
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ANECDOTE

From Awareness to Action

  • Rutger Bregman experienced an "early midlife crisis" after writing books raising awareness without direct action.
  • Inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's "man in the arena", he's now eager to actively build change.
INSIGHT

Humans as Self-Domesticated Beings

  • Evolutionarily, humans underwent self-domestication, favoring friendliness and cooperation as adaptive traits.
  • Despite capacity for nastiness, our fundamental nature includes powerful motivations toward decency and empathy.
ADVICE

Pivot Toward Meaningful Work

  • Quit jobs lacking social impact and redirect talent towards solving major global issues.
  • Use your time, skills, networks, and capital to contribute meaningfully to societal transformation.
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