Lex Fridman Podcast #165 – Josh Barnett: Philosophy of Violence, Power, and the Martial Arts
Mar 1, 2021
In this discussion, Josh Barnett, an MMA fighter and catch wrestling expert, shares deep insights into the philosophy of violence and the dynamics of power in combat sports. He delves into the psychological aspects of fear and confidence, drawing on personal experiences to illustrate the emotional landscape of fighters. The conversation also explores the relationship between conflict, creativity, and personal growth in martial arts, emphasizing the importance of resilience and self-discovery amidst societal pressures.
02:18:29
Ubermensch
- Josh Barnett finds Nietzsche's concept of the Ubermensch compelling.
- He sees it as a striving for self-improvement and authenticity, not a fixed state.
Universal Morality
- Barnett believes in some universal moral truths, influenced by Jung's collective unconsciousness.
- He suggests looking for common threads across diverse cultures and histories.
Scale and Morality
- Barnett suggests human interaction changes based on scale and environment.
- He uses Nassim Taleb's analogy of differing political views at different scales.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring Nutrition, Wellness, and Smart Products
02:03 • 4min
Exploring Technology, Consent, and Human Nature
06:18 • 2min
Philosophy of Authenticity and Human Nature
08:34 • 19min
The Transience of Digital Knowledge and the Importance of Preservation
27:40 • 3min
The Dynamics of Violence and Control in Combat Sports
30:47 • 23min
Philosophies of Power and Human Nature
53:50 • 14min
The Duality of War and Creativity
01:07:38 • 8min
The Psychology of Combat and Emotion
01:15:47 • 14min
Reflections on Violence and Identity
01:29:37 • 10min
Fighting Spirit: The Heart of Combat Sports
01:39:40 • 19min
The Journey of Self-Discovery in Martial Arts
01:58:30 • 7min
Exploring Humanity Through Film
02:05:03 • 11min
Philosophical Reflections on Life and Connection
02:15:41 • 2min
Wrestling Tough
Josh Barnett
No information available about this specific book.
The outfit
Donald Westlake
In 'The Outfit', Parker seeks revenge against the Outfit after they attempt to kill him.
He orchestrates a series of robberies against the Outfit's operations while personally targeting its leader, Arthur Bronson.
The novel explores themes of organized crime and the consequences of underestimating Parker's capabilities.
The Righteous Mind
Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
Jonathan Haidt
In this book, Jonathan Haidt draws on twenty-five years of research on moral psychology to explain why people's moral judgments are driven by intuition rather than reason.
He introduces the Moral Foundations Theory, which posits that human morality is based on six foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression.
Haidt argues that liberals tend to focus on the care/harm and fairness/cheating foundations, while conservatives draw on all six.
The book also explores how morality binds and blinds people, leading to social cohesion but also to conflicts.
Haidt aims to promote understanding and civility by highlighting the commonalities and differences in moral intuitions across political spectra.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
The book is divided into two parts.
The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945.
He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners.
The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure.
Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering).
The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel.
The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity.
The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work.
A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear.
The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind.
The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.
Motivation and personality
Abraham Maslow
In 'Motivation and Personality,' Abraham Maslow presents a holistic view of human nature, contrasting with the mechanistic views of behaviorism and the subconscious-driven views of Freudian psychoanalysis.
The book is renowned for its 'hierarchy of needs,' which organizes human needs from basic physiological needs to higher spiritual or transcendental needs.
Maslow argues that self-actualization, the highest level of need, involves maximizing one's potential and pursuing personal growth.
He studied self-actualized individuals, including historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein, to identify common characteristics such as a focus on personal growth, a sense of purpose, and deep interpersonal relationships.
The book emphasizes the importance of a health-fostering culture and the potential for human beings to achieve their highest aspirations.
No Country for Old Men
Cormac McCarthy
The novel follows the interweaving paths of three central characters: Llewelyn Moss, who stumbles upon a large sum of money at a drug deal gone wrong; Anton Chigurh, a ruthless and principled hitman hired to retrieve the money; and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, who reflects on the changing world and the moral decay he witnesses.
The story is a harrowing exploration of greed, violence, and the consequences of one's actions, set in the harsh landscape of West Texas in 1980.
It delves into themes of fate vs. free will, good vs.
evil, and the ties of love, blood, and duty that shape destinies.
Mein Kampf
Adolf Hitler
Mein Kampf, written by Adolf Hitler while he was imprisoned following the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, is a two-volume work that combines autobiography and political treatise.
The book details Hitler's early life, his experiences during World War I, and his increasing antisemitism and militarism.
It outlines his vision for Germany, including the need for Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe, and his racist and anti-Semitic views.
The work became the central text of National Socialism and a blueprint for Hitler's policies, including aggressive foreign policy and the persecution of Jews and other minority groups.
Blood Meridian
Or, The Evening Redness in the West
Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian is a historical novel that depicts the brutal reality of the American West in the mid-19th century.
The story follows a 14-year-old runaway from Tennessee, known as 'the kid', who joins the Glanton gang, a historical group of scalp hunters.
The gang, led by John Joel Glanton and the enigmatic Judge Holden, is contracted to kill and scalp Native Americans but soon devolves into indiscriminate violence against various groups.
The novel explores themes of brutality, the loss of innocence, and the harsh realities of human nature, with Judge Holden serving as a central figure embodying philosophical and sadistic elements.
The book is known for its unflinching portrayal of violence and its allegorical exploration of human existence.
Hagakure
Hinter Blättern verborgen
Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Hagakure, oder "Hinter Blättern verborgen", ist ein klassisches Werk der Samurai-Literatur, verfasst von Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
Es bietet einen Einblick in die Philosophie und den Lebensstil der Samurai im 18.
Jahrhundert.
Das Buch betont die Bedeutung von Loyalität, Tapferkeit und Selbstaufopferung.
Es beleuchtet auch die spirituelle Seite des Bushido, den Weg des Kriegers.
Hagakure ist ein wichtiger Text für das Verständnis der Samurai-Kultur und ihrer Werte.
Es beeinflusst bis heute die Vorstellung vom idealen Samurai.
The managerial revolution
James Burnham
The Ego and Its Own
Pedro González Blanco
Mann, William
Roberto Calasso
Steven T. Byington
James Joseph Martin
Henri Lasvignes
Max Stirner
Man and His Symbols
Marie-Louise von Franz
Jolande Jacobi
Carl Gustav Jung
Joseph L. Henderson
Aniela Jaffé
This book is an introduction to Carl Jung's work and ideas, particularly his theory of the unconscious and its role in human psychology.
It emphasizes the importance of dreams and symbols in understanding the unconscious mind.
The book is divided into five parts, each written by Jung or his closest associates, and includes chapters on approaching the unconscious, primitive myths, the process of individuation, symbolism in art, and symbols in individual analysis.
Jung's concept of individuation, where the conscious and unconscious minds learn to live in harmony, is a central theme.
The book is richly illustrated and provides insights into how symbols in dreams reflect and influence our lives.
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thomas Common
The book details Zarathustra's descent from his mountain solitude to share his transformative ideas about humanity and existence.
Nietzsche explores themes such as the rejection of traditional moral values, individualism, and the concept of the Overman.
Zarathustra's interactions with various characters reveal his struggle to articulate his vision and confront prevailing societal values.
The book also delves into the existential test of the eternal recurrence of the same and the importance of self-overcoming and personal transformation.
Violence and the Sacred
René Girard
The Black Swan
The Impact of the Highly Improbable
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
David Chandler
Nassim Taleb
The Black Swan is a landmark book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that investigates the phenomenon of highly improbable events with massive impacts.
These events, termed Black Swans, are unpredictable, have a significant impact, and are rationalized after the fact to appear less random.
Taleb argues that humans are hardwired to focus on specifics rather than generalities, leading to a failure to consider what we don’t know.
The book delves into cognitive biases, the limitations of mathematical models, and the importance of robustness and antifragility in navigating a world filled with uncertainty.
The second edition includes a new essay, 'On Robustness and Fragility,' offering tools to navigate and exploit a Black Swan world.
The hero with a thousand faces
Joseph Campbell
In this book, Joseph Campbell explores his theory of the 'monomyth', a universal pattern found in the mythological narratives of various cultures.
He details the stages of the 'hero's journey', which include departure from the ordinary world, initiation into a supernatural world, and return with a boon.
Campbell draws on a wide range of mythological sources and integrates insights from psychology, particularly from Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, to illustrate the common elements of heroic myths across different cultures.
Josh Barnett is an MMA fighter, catch wrestler, and a scholar of violence. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Josh’s Website: https://www.joshbarnett.com/
Josh’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshLBarnett
Josh’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshlbarnett
Josh’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshBarnettOfficial
Josh’s Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Barnett
Josh’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyZmZwQESO8G0BOSHTpZcvg
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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:29) – Nietzsche
(13:47) – Good and Evil
(28:59) – Joe Rogan library
(30:57) – Catch wrestling
(41:03) – Anarchy
(59:32) – Hitler and Stalin
(1:16:34) – Karl Gotch
(1:24:59) – Mike Tyson
(1:33:20) – Violent victory
(1:41:29) – Fedor Emelionenko
(1:43:50) – Greatest MMA fighters of all time
(1:53:47) – Early UFCs
(1:58:32) – Advice for young people
(2:02:24) – The value of competition
(2:05:02) – Blade Runner
(2:15:54) – Meaning of life