The Classical Code of Manhood

Key Takeaways

Manliness is defined as virtuous excellence, rooted in classical Western antiquity and distinct from 'toxic masculinity'.
Guest Waller Newell's book 'The Code of Man' outlines five classical virtues: love, courage, pride, family, and country.
Classical traditions (e.g., Aristotle) and biblical traditions (e.g., Augustine) offer contrasting views on virtues like pride and humility.
Cultivating 'thumos,' or spiritedness, and engaging with classical literature are important for fostering healthy masculinity.
Modern concepts of love, individualism, and globalization challenge traditional understandings of commitment and patriotism.

Host Brett McKay introduces political science professor Waller Newell and his book, 'The Code of Man'.
Newell advocates for recovering an older vision of manhood rooted in Western antiquity, exploring five paths to classical manliness.
He defines true manliness as virtuous behavior and moderate, gallant treatment of others, contrasting it with 'toxic masculinity'.

The guest outlines five classical virtues for manliness: love, courage, pride, family, and country.
These virtues are presented as essential for achieving an integrated life and serving the common good.
A key divergence exists between classical views, where pride is a virtue (Aristotle), and biblical traditions, which emphasize humility (Augustine).

Descriptions of George Washington's manliness highlighted integration and gentlemanly refinement beyond physical prowess.
Historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill shared more with ancient Greek concepts of manliness than contemporary individuals.
Plato's allegory of the chariot illustrates classical manliness as balancing mind (reason) and passions (energy).

Unbridled masculine passions can manifest as violence, aggression, and harmful online discourse, often lacking self-restraint.
The guest critiques modern masculinity discourse, citing 'Fight Club' as an example of repressed energies leading to aggression.
'Love' is introduced as the first virtue of classical manliness, viewed as a personal entry point to broader concepts of nobility.

Modern Western ideas of love have shifted, prioritizing immediate personal satisfaction over duty and commitment, influenced by changes like divorce culture.
Ancient Greek 'eros' encompassed both carnal attraction and a nobler form inspiring self- improvement, unlike the modern focus solely on physical or self-directed aspects.
In colloquial Greek, 'eros' could extend to 'eros for honor,' distinguishing humans, as depicted by an ancient statue of Eros as a warrior.

Ancients defined courage as facing fear in combat, extending to higher forms like public service and the common good.
Plato's 'thumos' is presented as aggressive passions that, when tamed, can be channeled for honor and civic duty.
The guest notes a "listlessness" in some young men and advocates nurturing healthy 'thumos' through literature like 'The Odyssey' and 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.

Courage, when taken to an extreme, can become harmful, illustrating the perversion of virtues.
Pride is identified as central to the classical "code of man," considered the "ornament of all the virtues" and a pinnacle of moral excellence.
A prideful man, in the classical view, avoids cruelty to inferiors and reserves outrage for equals who offend.

The modern West shows ambivalence towards pride, balancing the pursuit of greatness with avoiding arrogance, a tension partly rooted in religious teachings.
The host and guest acknowledge the "irreconcilable tension" between religious humility and secular ambition for pride.
Family life is presented as a crucial path to manhood, fostering virtues like love, courage, and honor through commitment and raising virtuous children.

Patriotism is redefined as requiring dissent and freedom of expression, not blind loyalty, with active public and community participation being essential for men.
The speaker argues that globalization threatens patriotism by undermining the nation-state, which is crucial for distinct national identities.
Tocqueville's observations on American civic life highlight concerns that democratization could erode citizen participation, advocating for local self-government.