Daniel Modell, a former NYPD officer with a Master's in philosophy, discusses the essence of being a warrior. He shares insights on the lessons of Spartacus, the necessity of violence for peace, and the importance of leadership over bureaucracy. Modell emphasizes that civilians also need to understand the way of the warrior.
Defining a warrior goes beyond fighting for a nation, as seen in Spartacus' fight for freedom and a greater ideal.
Warriors use violence strategically for protection and peace, showcasing the need to balance decisive force with long-term harmony.
Warriors face the challenge of being fierce defenders without losing their humanity, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and ethical collaboration.
Deep dives
Warrior's Definition and Lessons from Spartacus
Being a warrior involves defining characteristics beyond fighting for a country or in wars. For example, Spartacus, despite not fighting for a nation, embodied the essence of a warrior by fighting for freedom and a larger ideal. His defiance and purity of purpose exemplified the warrior spirit.
Why Violence is Necessary but Must be Controlled
Violence is a tool used by warriors when essential for protecting others or achieving strategic objectives. The central riddle of warriors lies in using violence without perpetuating a cycle of violence. Historical examples like the conflict between the US and Japan in World War II illustrate that decisive violence can lead to long-lasting peace.
Balancing Savagery and Humanity in Warriorhood
A key challenge for warriors is to be savage in their defense when needed while avoiding becoming savages themselves. This delicate balance requires self-awareness, adherence to a clear sense of purpose, and collaborating with comrades to uphold ethical standards even in moments of intense violence.
Leadership and Bureaucracy in Warrior Professions
Leaders in warrior professions prioritize vision, inspiring others, and accepting responsibility, while bureaucrats focus on career advancement and adherence to protocols. The dichotomy between leadership and bureaucracy reflects the difference in mindset towards questioning norms and promoting organizational values.
Value of Understanding Warrior Ideals for Civilians
Civilians may benefit from understanding warrior ideals to prepare for potential moments that require acts of courage and protection. The insights from the Warriors Manifesto can guide civilians in considering their responses to situations calling for decisive action, leading to greater self-awareness and readiness to act when necessary.
"Warrior" is a word that gets thrown around a lot. There are road warriors, and social justice warriors, and ninja warriors. But what does it really mean to be a warrior?
My guest today sets out a working definition in his book The Warrior’s Manifesto. His name is Daniel Modell, and he earned his Master's Degree in philosophy before going on to serve for twenty years in the New York City Police Department.
Daniel and I begin our conversation discussing what makes a warrior and the lessons Spartacus can teach us on that score. Daniel and I then discuss why warriors do what they do, why violence is sometimes necessary for peace, and what it means to be savage without becoming savage. We then discuss how bureaucracy kills leadership and why you don’t need a title to be a leader. At the end of our conversation, Daniel talks about why it isn't just members of the military and law enforcement who need to understand the way of the warrior, but ordinary civilians as well.