The Art of Manliness From Public Citizens to Therapeutic Selves — The Hidden History of Modern Identity
415 snips
Apr 8, 2025 
Carl Trueman, a professor, theologian, and author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, dives into the shifting landscape of identity. He explores how our understanding of self has transitioned from external communal markers to internal feelings shaped by social media. Trueman discusses influential thinkers like Charles Taylor and Philip Rieff, addressing the rise of expressive individualism and its societal implications. He critiques the contemporary balance of desire and societal norms, revealing the emotional turmoil this creates in political and personal realms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Defining the Self
- The self is how we perceive ourselves as individuals in the world.
- Modern self is defined by inner feelings and desires, unlike the past, which focused on external markers like family or profession.
Expressive Individualism
- Expressive individualism emphasizes expressing inner feelings and desires outwardly.
- Authenticity becomes the ability to align inner self with outward expression.
Shifting Inward
- The shift to the modern self involves a "liquefaction" of external identity markers and turning inward.
- Descartes' focus on the mind as a point of certainty reflects this shift.
