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.
48:33
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
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.
insights INSIGHT
Expressive Individualism
Expressive individualism emphasizes expressing inner feelings and desires outwardly.
Authenticity becomes the ability to align inner self with outward expression.
insights INSIGHT
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.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Philip Rieff's "The Triumph of the Therapeutic" explores the significant shift in modern culture from traditional religious frameworks to a secular, therapeutic approach to life. Rieff argues that this change has profoundly impacted how we understand happiness, morality, and personal fulfillment. The book analyzes the decline of traditional moral authority and the rise of psychological and therapeutic expertise as the primary source of guidance. Rieff's work remains influential in discussions about the role of religion, psychology, and culture in shaping individual and societal values. His analysis continues to provoke debate and reflection on the nature of modern society and its impact on personal identity.
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self
Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution
Carl Trueman
Rod Dreher
In this book, Carl R. Trueman explores the historical and philosophical roots of the modern concept of the self, tracing the development from an externally defined identity to an internally focused, expressive individualism. He examines the contributions of thinkers such as Rousseau, the Romantics, Freud, and contemporary philosophers like Charles Taylor, Philip Rieff, and Alasdair MacIntyre. Trueman argues that the sexual revolution is a symptom of a broader transformation in human selfhood, which has led to a highly psychologized and sexualized understanding of identity. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of how these changes have shaped modern culture and offers guidance for Christians navigating these cultural shifts.
The abolition of man
C.S. Lewis
In 'The Abolition of Man', C.S. Lewis delivers a defense of objective value and natural law, originating from his Riddell Memorial Lectures at the University of Durham in 1943. Lewis argues that education should be conducted within the context of moral law and objective values, which he terms the 'Tao'. He criticizes modern attempts to debunk these values, warning that such actions could lead to a dehumanization of society, resulting in what he calls 'Men without Chests' – individuals whose emotions have not been trained to conform to reason. The book emphasizes the universal nature of traditional moralities across different cultures and warns against the dangers of moral relativism and the reduction of human beings to mere objects of scientific analysis[2][4][5].
After Virtue
Alistair McIntyre
Alasdair MacIntyre's "After Virtue" is a highly influential work in moral philosophy that critiques modern ethical theories and proposes a return to virtue ethics. MacIntyre argues that modern moral philosophy has lost its way, leading to a fragmented and incoherent understanding of morality. He traces the historical development of ethical thought, identifying the decline of virtue ethics and the rise of emotivism and other relativistic approaches. MacIntyre proposes a revival of virtue ethics grounded in the Aristotelian tradition, emphasizing the importance of character development and the cultivation of virtuous dispositions. His work has had a profound impact on contemporary ethical debates, inspiring renewed interest in virtue ethics and its application to various social and political issues.
A Secular Age
Charles Taylor
In 'A Secular Age', Charles Taylor explores the transformation of Western society from a pre-modern world where belief in God was inescapable to a modern secular age where believing in God is just one option among many. Taylor argues against the 'subtraction story' of secularization, which posits that religion has been removed from society. Instead, he describes a complex historical process involving the Reform movement in Christianity, the rise of disciplinary society, and the emergence of exclusive humanism. The book examines how these changes have affected the conditions of belief and unbelief, and how they have shaped modern social forms, moral orders, and spiritual experiences[1][3][4].
When you scroll through social media feeds today, you’ll find countless posts about “living your truth” and “being authentic.” These ideas feel so natural to us now that we rarely stop to ask where they came from or what they really mean.
The concept of identity — how we understand ourselves — has undergone a radical transformation over the centuries. What once was defined primarily by external markers like family, profession, and community has shifted dramatically toward inner feelings, desires, and psychological experiences.
Today on the show, Carl Trueman unpacks this profound change and how we got to the lens through which we view ourselves today. Carl is a professor, theologian, and the author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. Throughout our conversation, he explores the insights of three key thinkers — Charles Taylor, Philip Rieff, and Alasdair MacIntyre — who have mapped the historical and cultural shifts that have transformed our ideas of identity. We discuss how this transformation has reshaped politics, education, and religion, while considering whether we’ve lost something essential in moving from a shared understanding of human nature to an increasingly individualized conception of self.
The Art of Manliness 
