The Art of Manliness

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The Philosophy of Self-Improvement

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Jul 13, 2022

Guest

Anna Schaffner

Join Anna Schaffner, a cultural history professor and life coach, as she delves into the rich history of self-improvement. She uncovers how ancient philosophies shaped modern practices and critiques the shift towards individualism in self-help. Anna emphasizes the timeless principles of self-control and virtue, balancing emotional regulation with community needs. She also introduces acceptance and commitment therapy techniques, blending Eastern philosophies with modern psychology for effective personal growth. It's a fascinating journey through the philosophies that shape who we are!

46:31

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insights

INSIGHT

Self-Help as Cultural Barometer

Self-help reflects a culture's values and anxieties.
It also reveals conceptions of selfhood, agency, and the individual's relationship with society.

insights

INSIGHT

Ancient Roots of Self-Improvement

Self-improvement isn't new; ancient civilizations had advice literature.
Modern self-help repackages older ideas from philosophy and religion.

insights

INSIGHT

Self-Help's Implicit Messages

Self-help literature often reflects underlying cultural values and anxieties, even implicitly.
Jordan Peterson's work is an example of how self-help can intersect with cultural commentary.

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The Cultural Evolution of Self-Improvement

02:00 • 19min

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Contrasting Philosophies of Self and Responsibility

21:21 • 3min

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Ancient Insights and Modern Perspectives on Self-Control

24:22 • 3min

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Harnessing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Self-Improvement

27:29 • 2min

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Virtue and Self-Improvement

29:58 • 17min

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Exploring Self-Improvement and Coaching Techniques

47:04 • 2min

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#15

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First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations.

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In 'The Happiness Trap', Dr. Russ Harris presents the insights and techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help readers escape the epidemic of stress, anxiety, and depression. The book focuses on accepting unhelpful thoughts rather than trying to control them, and it emphasizes the importance of clarifying values and developing mindfulness. It provides practical tools for reducing stress and worry, handling painful thoughts and feelings, breaking self-defeating habits, overcoming insecurity and self-doubt, and building better relationships and a fulfilling life.

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In 'The Power of Now', Eckhart Tolle discusses the importance of living in the present moment to achieve spiritual enlightenment. The book draws from various spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and mysticism, to explain how people's emotional problems are rooted in their identification with their minds. Tolle argues that the present moment is the only truly real time and that past and future are mere mental constructs. He provides methods for relaxation and meditation to help readers anchor themselves in the present, such as avoiding multitasking, spending time in nature, and letting go of worries about the future. The book also introduces concepts like the 'pain-body' and the distinction between one's thoughts and true self, emphasizing the need to recognize and separate from the destructive influence of the mind.

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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.

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Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

There are thousands of books, podcasts, and social media posts about how to be more productive, strengthen your relationships, find your purpose, and be your all-around best self. And there are legions of programs and seminars out there designed to help you improve your life. All together, self-help represents a multi-billion dollar industry.

But despite its ubiquity and cultural influence, you may never have thought about the deeper underpinnings of self-improvement. My guest has. In fact, her research led her to add being a life coach to her academic work as a professor of cultural history, surely creating one of the most unique career combinations. Her name is Anna Schaffner and she's the author of The Art of Self-Improvement: Ten Timeless Truths. Anna and I begin our conversation with how the idea of self-improvement, far from being a recent, Western phenomenon, traces back to antiquity and can be found across cultures. We discuss how self-help reflects what a culture values, and changes based on a culture's conception of selfhood, agency, and the relationship between the individual and society. From there we turn to a few of the timeless principles of self-improvement — self-control, being virtuous, and building positive relationships — looking both at how they were tackled anciently, as well as more modern angles that can also be helpful. We discuss the downside of taking a strictly Stoic approach to life, the idea of making virtue a habit, and how Dale Carnegie can be seen as a modern Machiavelli, in a good way. We end our conversation with Anna's four favorite self-improvement books.

Resources Related to the Podcast

Anna's previous appearance on the show — Episode #476: Are Modern People the Most Exhausted in History?
AoM Podcast #377: 12 Rules for Life With Jordan Peterson
Bildung
AoM Podcast #614 with Stephen Hayes, founder of Acceptance and Commitment therapy
AoM Podcast #746: The Confucian Gentleman
AoM Podcast #148: Trying Not to Try
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Anna's favorite self-improvement books:

Connect with Anna Schaffner

Anna's Personal Website
Anna's Coaching Website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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