Mimetism was not Rene Girard original idea. It can be traced to David Hume who observed one's actions reverberates to the rest like the strings of a violin. It describes humans as a social specie, prone to co-vibrations aka under the influence of other people's actions.<ul><li>Mimetism is a social technology to get to the subjectivity of others. But ...</li><li>Mimetism is a tendency, but also a capacity. It leaves room for individual agency. At any time, you, the player, can choose the next string to pluck.</li></ul>

Mimetism as the Strings of a Violin

The basic mimetic behaviour manifests in society in more meaningful ways:<ul><li>Through prestige. The respect, admiration, and high regard that is accorded to someone has less to do with the objective qualities of the person and more with the adherence to normative values.</li><li>A step higher is the real of the sacred. For Girard this is just a dial up of mimesis. The power of a sacred relic lies just with the collective admiration that one feels compelled to mimic. Gods live only as long as there are rituals of belief.</li></ul>

Normative Evolution, Prestige and Gods

Mimesis is both the strongest and necessary authority for us to hold normative values. It more than any faculty decides what we think of beautiful, as good ... what laws we think of just or what sexual relationships we think of as legitimate or depraved. Even what we strive to be like.

Mimetic desire can be separated in:<ul><li>a desire to experience (physical desire)</li><li>a desire to be (metaphysical desire). We chase objects for what they say about us on for the fullness of being that we expect them to confer upon us.</li></ul>ex: We may chase a sexual partner for how they make us feel or for the social status of being with them. We may start a company for the thrill of the struggle or because we want to be like like the Silicon Valley tech bros. The balance of the 2 will vary from person to person, but pride and ambition are strongly correlated with metaphysical desire.

The 2 twin components of mimetic desire

Metaphysical desire is focused on our identity, our ego, our spirit ... the core of what we are. This itself can be broken down into 3 components:<ol><li>Reality. We want our existence to be observed and noticed by others. What really matters is not the physical experience but what others think it's real.</li><li>Persistence. We want our identities to last through time. We are obsessed with achieving some immortality. </li><li>Self-sufficiency: Deals with having the power of the social realm to fulfil our thirsts. It's what Nietzsche calls "the will to power". It has a lot to do with domination over others.</li></ol>

The 3 Components of Being

We crave objects because other people we look up are associated with those objects: a celebrity, a parent, a colleague etc... The faulty logic being that our acquisition of the object will grant us the same sense of being as our role-model. Desire is not a straight line from subject to object, but a triangular path to object through the role model.

The Faulty logic of Object Acquisition

Not all our actions will be motivated by metaphysical desire, but out of the possible motivations ... it is the strongest. In commercial terms it means products that focus on it will command the most value. It explains the success of branding, the celebrity culture and consumerism as a whole.

The Power of Metaphysical Desire

<ul><li>Malleability. They are highly dependent on our mediators. If I grew up with a Don Juan father I may seek superficial relationship. </li><li>Power. The more we get motivated by it the more we loose our agency. The tulip buying mania, the 2001 dotcom crash etc.</li><li>Deceitful: We are oblivious that we are confusing an object for a state of being. </li><li>Ungovernable: It is not ruled by reason. Reason becomes a spoke-person to our spirit. Not the source of action, but its justification.</li></ul>

The 4 Qualities of Metaphysical Desires

The second part of the lecture on Girard. More in depth look at desires.

Mimesis, mimetic desire, and metaphysical desire are the fundamental building blocks of Girard’s psychology. They will show us how even the most intimate aspects of our identity can be radically shaped by others and how to distinguish vanity from authenticity. These psychological fundaments are what make humans social animals, why prestige and recognition matter so much to us, and how we are able to form cultures and even language itself. They are responsible for humanity’s greatest achievements, but they also render us helplessly fallen. Under scrutiny, metaphysical desire will reveal itself to be none other than original sin. 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:51 Mimesis 00:08:16 Mimesis and Normativity 00:17:34 Mimetic Desire 00:29:17 What is Meant by "Being" 00:31:53 The First End of Being: Reality 00:34:38 The Second End of Being: Persistence 00:35:31 The Third End of Being: Self-sufficiency 00:41:36 Metaphysical Desire 00:50:14 The Malleability of Metaphysical Desire 00:52:09 The Power of Metaphysical Desire 00:53:30 The Deceitfulness of Metaphysical Desire 00:58:18 The Ungovernability of Metaphysical Desire 01:00:31 Original Sin

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

philosophy

Philosophy

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

history

History

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

Mimesis, mimetic desire, and metaphysical desire are the fundamental building blocks of Girard’s psychology. They will show us how even the most intimate aspects of our identity can be radically shaped by others and how to distinguish vanity from authenticity. These psychological fundaments are what make humans social animals, why prestige and recognition matter so much to us, and how we are able to form cultures and even language itself. They are responsible for humanity’s greatest achievements, but they also render us helplessly fallen. Under scrutiny, metaphysical desire will reveal itself to be none other than original sin. 

00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:51 Mimesis
00:08:16 Mimesis and Normativity
00:17:34 Mimetic Desire
00:29:17 What is Meant by "Being"
00:31:53 The First End of Being: Reality
00:34:38 The Second End of Being: Persistence
00:35:31 The Third End of Being: Self-sufficiency
00:41:36 Metaphysical Desire
00:50:14 The Malleability of Metaphysical Desire
00:52:09 The Power of Metaphysical Desire
00:53:30 The Deceitfulness of Metaphysical Desire
00:58:18 The Ungovernability of Metaphysical Desire
01:00:31 Original Sin

If I were not Diogenes, I wish I were Alexander.

Johnathan at Limbo

Lecture II: Mimetic Desire and Original Sin | René Girard's Mimetic Theory

René Girard's Mimetic Theory - Lecture 2

A French philosopher he developed a unique worldview based on the concept of mimetic desire. According to him, human beings are constantly seeking to imitate and emulate the desires of others, and this process of imitation drives much of human behavior and social dynamics.His main idea is that desire is always mediated through the desires of others, and that this process of imitation creates conflicts and rivalries that are fundamental to human society.He is gaining a lot of praise recently with lots of Silicon Valley luminaries listing him as a major intellectual influencer.

René Girard

Girard observed that our desires are social. We rarely desire an object for it's intrinsic functional qualities. We usually use the objects as proxies for an identity we envy. Desire are not fixed or innate, but rather constantly changing & under the influence of the people we encounter. We can see this in advertising, when we buy sneakers to be like Jordan, not to run a marathon. When we date a certain person because others will see us a certain way and so on.

Mimetic Desire

For Girard, we are different than animals because of our desires, our myths, our lies. We invent stories, we go to war for abstract concepts etc. This is a the object of his psychological focused philosophy. Similar to how class was the nexus of socialism, how casts worked in Hinduism, or rationality in liberalism.

Spirited Animals

According to Girard, is a social mechanism that arrises from a cataclysmic event. A troubled society murders an "innocent" victim (blamed for all evils) & thus gains cathartic release and gains new new Gods. This event is dramatised, captured in myth and then translated back into the society in the form of rituals & prohibitions. Ex: Julius Caesar is ritually killed as he is blamed for the fall of the Republic. However, as his nephew becomes emperor, Caesar becomes a God. And later on an institution emulated by all rulers.

Girardian Scapegoating

The Christian mythology follows the same Girardian arc: civil unrest in Judea, Jesus crucified as a scapegoat, turned into a God, institutionalized through the church. However, the unique element is that the story is told for the perspective of the victim, rather than of the accusers. In the Bible, the victim is innocent, the crowd was mistaken.It is this unique care for the victim that spills into our modern worldview and institutions: from human rights to work ethic. In a sense we all live in a Christian society even if we don't consider ourselves as Christians.

The Uniqueness of Christian Scapegoating 

For Girard, violence is natural. But modern day seems quite peaceful. And Girard credits 2 institutions:<ul><li>capitalism: which Girard sees it as a status seeking game more than a rational transfer of resources.</li><li>laws: a set of institutions that mediates disputes and acts as a monopoly on violence </li></ul>For Girard capitalism is this stew of violent energies that needs to be contained through laws. One can not function without the other.

The mechanism to protect against violence

It's no wonder the European aristocracy went into business as soon as heroes and warriors went out of fashion.

Basic Girardian ideas beautifully presented by a young philosopher, Jonathan Bo, in conversation with David Perell. 

Lecture I gives a brief overview of Girard’s life and work. It summarizes the key conclusions of mimetic theory, distilling the most crucial ideas of this 10+ hour long lectures series into a digestible 2 hours. For those who are short on time, this synopsis is sufficient to give you a taste of Girard. For those embarking on the full journey, this lecture is a rough map that will orient you throughout the expansive, tumultuous, and dizzying terrain ahead. 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:05 The Case for Engaging Girard 00:19:34 The Structure of This Lecture Series 00:23:52 Girard's Biography 00:29:06 What We Cover in Lecture I 00:30:45 Mimesis 00:33:43 Metaphysical Desire 00:42:04 The Negative Phase of Mimesis 00:51:20 The Scapegoat Mechanism 01:03:05 Christianity 01:10:55 Love and Hypocrisy 01:13:38 Truth and Dogma 01:18:04 Innovation and Imitation 01:26:02 Violence and Apocalypse 01:37:16 The Case Against Engaging Girard

education

Learning & Education

Lecture I gives a brief overview of Girard’s life and work. It summarizes the key conclusions of mimetic theory, distilling the most crucial ideas of this 10+ hour long lectures series into a digestible 2 hours. For those who are short on time, this synopsis is sufficient to give you a taste of Girard. For those embarking on the full journey, this lecture is a rough map that will orient you throughout the expansive, tumultuous, and dizzying terrain ahead. 

00:00:00 Introduction
00:05:05 The Case for Engaging Girard
00:19:34 The Structure of This Lecture Series
00:23:52 Girard's Biography
00:29:06 What We Cover in Lecture I
00:30:45 Mimesis
00:33:43 Metaphysical Desire
00:42:04 The Negative Phase of Mimesis
00:51:20 The Scapegoat Mechanism
01:03:05 Christianity
01:10:55 Love and Hypocrisy
01:13:38 Truth and Dogma
01:18:04 Innovation and Imitation
01:26:02 Violence and Apocalypse
01:37:16 The Case Against Engaging Girard

Lecture I: Introduction to Mimetic Theory | René Girard's Mimetic Theory

René Girard's Mimetic Theory - Lecture 1

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity."

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." -

"The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power."

These 10 quotes will tell you that it's never late to become what you dream to become 

career

Career

health

Health

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

10 Quotes For New Year's Motivation 

These 10 genius Stephen Hawking quotes will inspire you.

Hawking's influence exceeded the field of science.

The theoretical physicist, best known for his work in cosmology (<a href="http://www.hawking.org.uk/into-a-black-hole.html">particularly with black holes </a>), was both a visionary and an inspiration. Outside his vast intelligence (of which he was very modest, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/what-stephen-hawkings-iq-score-late-physicist-called-people-who-care-losers-843895">once saying that people who boasted about IQs were losers </a>), he was also a study in resilience and perseverance.At the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2018-03-14/stephen-hawking-als-how-he-outlived-his-prognosis-for-so-long/9548110">amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) </a>. The disease progresses quickly, and Hawking was given only a short time to live, but he survived for decades and stayed mobile with use of a wheelchair.

Stephen Hawking, universally beloved scientist

"Although there was a cloud hanging over my future," <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/14/stephen-hawking-professor-dies-aged-76">Hawking said of his diagnosis </a>,"I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research."

Hawking never stopped working 

In 1988, Hawking published "A Brief History of Time," which accomplished, as <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking-a-brief-history-of-time-book-theoretical-physics-why-good-a8255251.html">The Independent </a>notes, the "impossible" tasks of not only taking the entire history of time and space and relating it all in just one volume but also making it easy to read and understand for everyone — not just fellow scientists."However, if we discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable by everyone, not just by a few scientists," <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking-a-brief-history-of-time-book-theoretical-physics-why-good-a8255251.html">Hawking wrote at the end of the book </a>.

"However, if we discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable by everyone, not just by a few scientists," <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking-a-brief-history-of-time-book-theoretical-physics-why-good-a8255251.html">Hawking wrote at the end of the book </a>. "Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we should know the mind of God."“My goal is simple," <a href="https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/stephen_hawking_124516">Hawking said of his work </a>. "It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.”

He will be deeply missed. And as the celebration of his life flows on social media — <a href="https://twitter.com/mikecavalier/status/973772804515598337">who could forget the time he threw a party for time travelers and no one showed up </a>— we're celebrating Hawking's contributions to this world with some of his most inspirational quotes, the ones that remind us to look forward, look upward, and never forget the common humanity we all share.These 10 genius Stephen Hawking quotes will inspire you.

Hawking was an inspiration for us all.

"Be curious. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up."-Stephen Hawking

1. On moving forward in the face of adversity:

"Life would be tragic if it weren't funny."-Stephen Hawking

2. On the importance of a sense of humor:

"It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love."-Stephen Hawking

3. On the universe:

"We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special."-Stephen Hawking

4. On what makes humans unique:

“For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk and we learned to listen. Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible. Mankind's greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn't have to be like this. Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.”

5. On the power of communication: 

"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change."-Stephen Hawking

6. On the true meaning of intelligence:

"I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predetermined and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."-Stephen Hawking

7. On creating your own fate:

"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."-Stephen Hawking

8. On knowledge:

"Time travel used to be thought of as just science fiction, but Einstein’s general theory of relativity allows for the possibility that we could warp space-time so much that you could go off in a rocket and return before you set out.”-Stephen Hawking

9. On the power of possiblity:

"Here are the most important pieces of advice that I've passed on to my children. One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away."-Stephen Hawking

10. On living your best life:  "Here are the most important pie

These 10 Genius Stephen Hawking Quotes Will Inspire You To Dream Big.

sciencefiction

Science Fiction

These 10 genius Stephen Hawking quotes will inspire you to dream big.

So, you’ve just hung your new <a href="https://bluethumb.com.au/">Bluethumb </a>masterpiece and you’re having some friends around. There will, of course, be compliments galore on your impeccable taste and “the feel of the space”, but why let the ego-boosts stop there? A casual mention of these cultural tidbits will see you being fought over at the next trivia night and cement your position as “the artsy one”.

The Olympics wasn’t always about abs and doping scandals. The founder of the modern Games, the Baron Pierre de Coubertin, was enamoured with the idea of the true Olympian being a talented artist and sportsperson. Thanks to him, between 1912 and 1948 medals were given out for sporting-inspired masterpieces of architecture, music, painting, sculpture and literature.  Medal winner Jean Jacoby’s ‘Corner’, left and ‘Rugby’, right. via <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/when-the-olympics-gave-out-medals-for-art-6878965/?no-ist">Smithsonian.com </a>

1. Art used to be an Olympic event

(all the love letters she receives Over the years many have fallen prey to the portrait’s ‘limpid and burning eyes’, leaving her offerings of flowers, poems and, yes, love notes. Artist Luc Maspero allegedly took this fervour to a new high – and then low – in 1852, diving off a hotel balcony because “For years I have grappled desperately with her smile. I prefer to die.” Who knew art appreciation could be so dark?  Eyes detail of ‘Mona Lisa’, via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mona_Lisa_detail_eyes.jpg">Wikimedia Commons </a>

2. The Mona Lisa has her own mailbox in the Louvre because of 

Considering the US is one of the oldest modern democracies, this is pretty amazing. Sir Isaac Newton invented the colour wheel in 1706 by refracting white sunlight into its six colours. The realisation that light alone was responsible for colour was radical, and the wheel proved especially useful for artists, who could now easily observe the most effective colour complementation.  Newton’s colour wheel, via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Newton%27s_colour_circle.png">Wikimedia Commons </a>

3. The colour wheel predates the United States

What’s that, you say? He inhaled a painting?? The man must be enormous! Not quite. Wigan’s works are ‘micro-sculptures’, so tiny they must be viewed through a microscope. In creating his art, Wigan has to slow his heartbeat and work between pulses. The work he inhaled was Alice, from Alice in Wonderland, but apparently she was even better when remade.  ‘Nine Camels’ by <a href="http://www.willard-wigan.com/gallery/">Willard Wigan </a>

4. Artist Willard Wigan once inhaled his own work

(in the Tate Modern Museum) The prank was soon undone by its inadequate glue, but for a few hours Crimewatch UK Has Ruined the Countryside For All of Us was hung in one of the world’s most famous museums. It also inspired Andrzej Sobiepan, a Polish art student, to a similar feat in 2005, where for three days he successfully passed off his work as part of the National Museum’s collection.  ‘Crimewatch UK Has Ruined the Countryside For All of Us’, via <a href="https://au.pinterest.com/pin/429390145692611066/">Pinterest </a>

5. In 2003 street artist Banksy stuck his own work to the wall 

5 Facts About Art That Will Impress Your Friends 

So you think you know about art? Test yourself and see if you know these five fun art facts that every art brainiac should have in their repertoire.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

5 Facts about Art that will Impress Your Friends

AaaaIn this excerpt from the book Fillmore East: The Venue That Changed Rock Music Forever, two people who worked at promoter Bill Graham’s historic concert hall describe for the first time the night Paul McCartney — in disguise — and future wife Linda Eastman attended a show.Marc Rubenstein is the founder of Pig Light Show, one of the pioneering groups of …

In this excerpt from the book Fillmore East: The Venue That Changed Rock Music Forever, two people who worked at promoter Bill Graham’s historic concert hall describe for the first time the night…

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

The Night Paul McCartney Donned a Disguise at Fillmore East

<ul><li>A jack-o’-lantern is, as the name might suggest, a lantern—one made out of a root vegetable. </li><li>Their origin comes from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain.</li><li> When Jack died, God didn’t allow him into heaven, and the Devil didn’t let him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. </li><li>In Ireland, people started to carve demonic faces out of turnips to frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. </li><li>When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.</li></ul>

The history of jack-o’-lanterns

The pumpkin aspect of the tradition is uniquely American. When Europeans came to America, they discovered pumpkins, a Native American crop that, besides being tasty, they recognized would make fabulous jack-o’-lanterns.The spooky history behind this family tradition has been lost as years go by. So now carving pumpkins is synonymous with family and fun instead of spooky spirits.

How jack-o’-lanterns have changed throughout history

<ul><li> Halloween is based on the Celtic festival Samhain. It was believed that during Samhain the souls of those who had died that year traveled to the otherworld and that other souls would return to visit their homes.</li><li>In the 8th century CE, the Roman Catholic Church moved All Saints’ Day, a day celebrating the church’s saints, to November 1. This meant that All Hallows’ Eve (or Halloween) fell on October 31. </li><li>Traditions from Samhain remained, such as wearing disguises to hide from the souls wandering around your home. </li><li>The folklore about Stingy Jack was quickly incorporated into Halloween, and we’ve b<warningtag>een carving pumpkins—or turnips—ever since.</warningtag></li></ul>

How jack-o’-lanterns become associated with Halloween

<ul><li>Lighting candles is a near-universal way to beckon the dead in cultures that still call them to return for one night. For instance, you can see this custom in the Mexican Día de Muertos. </li><li>But only the Celtic culture uses imitation skulls called jack-o’-lanterns to welcome some and banish others. </li><li>Japan has a similar tradition: The Japanese light four-sided paper lanterns on small wooden rafts and send them down rivers to guide their beloved spirits back home on a stream of light on their day of the dead, which they call Obon.</li></ul>

Jack-o’-lanterns in other cultures

books

Books

The Halloween Collection

Why do we carve pumpkins on Halloween? This fun tradition, and jack-o'-lantern history, dates way, way back.

travel

Travel

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins at Halloween?

First Principles delves into the history of American evolution and highlights how the parents of modern thinking were inspired by Roman and Greek philosophy in their mindset, military actions, views of the world, and many more.The influence of Greek and Roman political thought on America is a subject that historians debated for centuries. Some argue that it was minimal at best, while others claim it was pervasive throughout our nation’s early years.

First Principles - Book Summary

Regardless of the extent to which these ideas influenced our founders, First Principles prove that they had an undeniable impact on the formation of our republic.It is no secret that ancient civilizations deeply influenced America’s founding fathers when creating their own country’s system of government. It was not only because they believed in strong republican values; these two cultures also provided a model for how such a system could work in practice.

<ul><li>Washington’s education was deeply rooted in Roman ideologies. </li><li>Greek philosophers also influenced American thinkers. </li><li>Classicism and the idea of virtue slowly died as Americans sought freedom for all.</li></ul>Now, let’s explore these lessons in depth and learn more about American culture and history.

To learn more about these systems, we’ll look at three of the most relevant lessons from this book:

It is often the Greek philosophy and the Greek thinkers that occupy the first spots in any history debate or at an elite table. Greek ideologies shaped the world as we know it, paved the way for democracy, and shaped ideologies forever. However, Roman philosophers and their culture also had plenty to do with how America grew to be today. Rome and its emperors shaped leading figures like Washington and many revolutionary Americans. They considered Cicero a great orator and an idol to learn from.

Lesson 1: One of America’s leading figures was highly inspired by Roman emperors.

Revolutionary Americans considered that Rome had achieved the greatest level a state can hope for. Washington, a military genius, identified with Cato, a figure known for their virtue and for not giving in to the aristocracy, but rather fighting against corruption.Washington strived to become such a figure and take America to the highest forms of a republic. To defeat the British, he imprisoned some of the great Roman generals, Fabius and Cincinnatus. He studied their strategies and tried to implement them, almost by impersonating them.

The founders believed that the democratic form of government found in ancient Greece and Rome was an ideal model for America, which had just broken free from Great Britain. They also wanted to ensure that the United States would be able to withstand any future threats from European powers. In order for this to happen, America needed both a strong military and a well-educated citizenry who were capable of deciding matters of the state through reasoned deliberation rather than violence or coercion.

Lesson 2: The founding fathers of America found inspiration in Roman and Greek ways of thinking.

Jefferson, Washington, J. Adams and many others looked for inspiration in these ancient European states. Jefferson, in particular, was a fan of Epicurus, Euripides, and many other Greek philosophers that shaped his way of thinking.In fact, Epicurus had a vision of life that Jefferson shared profoundly. We can notice that in the Declaration of Independence, he states that all humans are created equal and they have the right to pursue happiness. These concepts are central to the Epicurean philosophy.

The early nineteenth century marked a time of great change in American culture. The Enlightenment gave way to Romanticism, and classicism was replaced by a rather rational way of viewing things. This shift in cultural focus was reflected in the principles that guided the people and their rulers. While Jefferson’s presidency and Madison’s afterward were marked by a return to classicism, it soon became an object of ridicule.

Lesson 3: The leading figures of America saw radical changes from one mandate to the other.

The masses were seeking more rational views of the world and free land. People also began to view slavery as a ridiculous concept compared to the American principle of freedom for all.As reason and rationality gave way to emotion in the nineteenth century, classicism slowly died out of fashion. Virtue was no longer a guiding light for every endeavor, while free labor and a fairer world were the true aspirations now.

In First Principles, Thomas Ricks explains how Greek and Roman philosophers altogether shaped America as we know it today. In ancient philosophy, it was only through hard work and constant vigilance that man could be made virtuous enough to live freely and happily. This notion is closely linked with different waves of culture that America had experienced through its shaping process.

First Principles – Book Review

The book manages to examine how America’s Founding Fathers used classical philosophy in their own political theory. The essays address topics such as Jefferson’s views on slavery, Washington’s influence on economic policy, and Adams’ role in shaping foreign policy.

The 30-year-old historian who enjoys a good read, the 50-year-old republican who wants to extend their knowledge in the field of American history, or the 45-year-old person who wants to find out more about the lives and views of the Founding Fathers of America.

Who would I recommend the First Principles to?

“Public Virtue cannot exist in a Nation without private, and public Virtue is the only Founsation of Republics. There must be apositive Passion for the public good, the public Interest, Honour, Power, and Glory, established in the Minds of the People, or there can be no Republican Government, nor any real Liberty.”-Thomas E. Ricks

Author Quote

First Principles summary delves into the history of American evolution and how Roman and Greek philosophy inspired its first leaders.

politics

Politics

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

First Principles Summary

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son Charles has become King.He will be known as King Charles III - the first Charles to sit on the throne since 1685. The Queen, who died on 8 September, was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.Find out more about the Royal Family and the line of succession below.

First 10 in Line Of Succession 

Charles became King the moment his mother died (Queen Elizabeth II) and became oldest King to ascend the throne.The now former Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer, who became the Princess of Wales, on 29 July 1981. The couple had two sons, William and Harry. They later separated and their marriage was dissolved in 1996. On 31 August 1997, the princess was killed in a car crash in Paris.He married Camilla Parker Bowles on 9 April 2005. When Charles became King, she became Queen Consort, as per the wishes of Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles III (Born 1948)

Prince William is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales, and is now first in line to the throne.He was 15 when his mother died. He went on to study at St Andrews University, where he met his future wife, Kate Middleton. The couple were married in 2011.On his 21st birthday he was appointed a Counsellor of State - standing in for the Queen on official occasions. He and his wife had their first child, George, in July 2013, their second, Charlotte, in 2015 and third, Louis, in 2018.

1. Williams,  Prince of Wales (1982)

Prince George of Wales was born on 22 July 2013 at St Mary's Hospital in London. His father was present for the birth of his son, who weighed 8lb 6oz (3.8kg).Prince George is second in line to the throne, after his father.

2. Prince George of Wales (Born 2013)

Catherine, Princess of Wales gave birth to her second child, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, on 2 May 2015, again at St Mary's Hospital. William was present for the birth of the 8lb 3oz (3.7kg) baby.She is third in line to the throne, after her father and older brother, and is known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Wales.

3. Princess Charlotte of Wales (Born 2015)

The new Princess of Wales gave birth to her third child, a boy weighing 8lbs 7oz, on 23 April 2018, at St Mary's Hospital in London.William was present for the birth of Louis Arthur Charles, who is fourth in line to the throne.

4. Prince Louis of Wales (Born 2018)

Prince Harry trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and went on to become a lieutenant in the Army, serving as a helicopter pilot.He has been a Counsellor of State since his 21st birthday and stood in for the Queen on official duties.He married US actress Meghan Markle on 19 May, 2018, at Windsor Castle. In January 2020, the royal couple said they would step back as "senior" royals and divide their time between the UK and North America. They said they intended to "work to become financially independent".

5. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (Born 1984)

The Sussexes' first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on 6 May 2019, weighing 7lbs 3oz, with the duke present for his birth. By naming him as they did, the couple chose not to use a title for their first born.When the name was announced, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said the decision was a strong indication the couple did not want to bring him up as a formal royal.

6. Archie Harrisson Mountbatten-Windsor (Born 2019)

The Duchess of Sussex gave birth to her second child in Santa Barbara, California, on 4 June 2021. Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor - to be known as Lili - is named after the Royal Family's nickname for the Queen and is her 11th great-grandchild.She was given the middle name Diana in honour of Prince Harry's mother, who died in a car crash in 1997 when he was 12 years old.

7. Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor (Born 2021)

Prince Andrew, eighth in line to the throne, was the third child of the Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh - but the first to be born to a reigning monarch for 103 years.He was created the Duke of York on his marriage to Sarah Ferguson, who became Duchess of York, in 1986. They had two daughters - Beatrice, in 1988, and Eugenie, in 1990. In March 1992 it was announced the duke and duchess were to separate. They divorced in 1996.

8. Prince Andrew,  Duke Of York (Born 1960)

Princess Beatrice is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. Her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York. She has no official surname, but uses the name York.She married property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, in July 2020. The couple had been due to marry in May, but coronavirus delayed the plans.

9. Princess Beatrice, Duchess of York (1988)

Princess Beatrice had a baby girl, Sienna Elizabeth, in September 2021, who is 10th in line to the throne and is the Queen's 12th great-grandchild. Princess Beatrice is also stepmother to Mr Mapelli Mozzi's son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie, from his previous relationship with Dara Huang.She displaces Princess Eugenie , younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York as 10th to the throne. Her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York and she is 11th in line to the throne.

10. Princess Beatrice,  Mapelli Mozzi (Born 2021)

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son Charles has become King as King Charles III but who are the next 10 Royal Blood in line of Succession?

The Queen, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren - four generations of the UK royals.

British Monarchy: See the First Ten (10) in line of Succession after King Charles III

Around the year 1230, a collection of proverbs and thoughts were put together by a German poet named Freidank. He called the work Bescheidenheit, and it became very popular in the Middle Ages, as it can be found in 197 manuscripts from the period.

13 Pieces of Wisdom from the 13th century

Freidank wrote about a wide variety of topics, offering thoughts or advice. They have been recently translated by Albrecht Classen, who describes the writer this way: “here we encounter a medieval poet who, certainly a devout Christian, perceptively grasped all the shortcomings in life and dealt with them in a philosophical manner. Little wonder that posterity admired him greatly because his verses contain much obvious and subtle wisdom.”Here are 13 pieces of wisdom from Bescheidenheit:

Hunger is the best cook among those who ever existed or ever will be.

1. On Hunger

Some study the starsAnd tell us what soon will happen.But if they were to tell me also something from near-by,what herbs are growing in their garden,and if they then tell it correctly,I will more easily believe the other things.

2. On the Soul

13 Pieces of Wisdom From The 13th Century

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