Kermit Roosevelt III on Theodore Roosevelt And Cultural Movements (PT 2)
Jan 13, 2024
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Kermit Roosevelt III, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and great-great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt, discusses the decline of cultural literacy and shared values in society. He highlights how many people know Marcus Aurelius from the film Gladiator, reflecting on the fragmentation of cultural references. The conversation dives into the challenges of leadership, political dysfunction, and the importance of historical context in constitutional law. Roosevelt also shares insights on fostering creativity and the complexities of judicial appointments that impact civil rights.
Finding role models and mentors outside of our biological connections can provide guidance and inspiration in navigating through life.
Philosophy is not just a theoretical subject, but a practical tool that can offer guidance and answers for a more meaningful life.
Shared cultural reference points are essential in building connections, fostering discussions, and forming a collective sense of community, which is currently lacking in contemporary society.
Deep dives
The Importance of Stoic Practice
Stoic philosophy emphasizes the practice of virtues like courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom. It encourages individuals to apply these principles to their everyday lives, facing challenges and making choices with a stoic mindset. By cultivating these virtues, one can strive to be their best self in every moment.
Finding Role Models and Mentors
In the podcast episode, the guest discusses the importance of finding role models and mentors, even if they are not biologically connected to us. He shares his own experience of looking up to Theodore Roosevelt, a stoic hero, and how he sought guidance and inspiration from his accomplished and influential family history. The conversation explores the idea that individuals can choose whose footsteps they follow and emulate, drawing inspiration and guidance from remarkable individuals.
Balancing Philosophy and Practical Matters
The conversation delves into the practicality of philosophy and its significance in people's everyday lives. While academic philosophy might often seem disconnected and inaccessible, the discussion highlights the importance of philosophy's broader relevance and how it can help navigate through a wide range of practical matters. Philosophy can provide guidance and answers to both theoretical and real-life questions, helping individuals lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
The Importance of Shared Cultural Works
In the podcast, the speakers discuss the significance of having a common set of cultural works that everyone knows and refers to. They highlight the power of shared cultural reference points in building connections, generating discussions, and fostering a sense of community. By referencing examples like the story of The Odyssey, the movie Gladiator, and the popularity of Taylor Swift, they emphasize how these cultural touchstones create a framework for understanding and relating to each other. However, they also point out the current lack of such shared works in contemporary society, which leads to a fragmented sense of cultural identity and hampers meaningful discussions and connections among people.
The Need for Symbolic Representation and the Power of Change
Another key point discussed in the podcast is the importance of symbols in society and the role they play in expressing belonging and identity. The speakers examine the changing meaning of symbols, particularly the American flag, and how it reflects the societal divisions and interpretations. They also delve into the need for change and reinvention, drawing parallels from historical examples like the American Revolution and the Civil Rights Movement. The speakers emphasize the significance of young generations driving change, challenging established systems, and advocating for reforms, highlighting the potential of collective action and the power of youth in shaping the future.
On this episode of the Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan talks with American author, lawyer, and legal scholar Kermit Roosevelt III on Honoring and doing what is right, Why peoples values and sense of honor are collapsing, How many people know who Marcus Aurelius is because of Gladiator, and his book The Nation That Never Was.
Kermit is an American author, lawyer, and legal scholar. He is a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a great-great-grandson of United States President Theodore Roosevelt and a distant cousin of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt worked as a lawyer with Mayer Brown in Chicago from 2000 to 2002 before joining the Penn Law faculty in 2002. Roosevelt's areas of academic interest include conflicts of law and constitutional law. He has published in the Virginia Law Review, the Michigan Law Review, and the Columbia Law Review, among others, and his articles have been cited twice by the United States Supreme Court and numerous times by state and lower federal courts.
