HISTORY OF IDEAS - Failure

The School of Life
25 Dec 201508:52
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script explores the historical perception of failure across different cultures and eras, from ancient Athens and Rome to modern times. It highlights how societies have variously interpreted failure, from a source of shame and suicide in Roman times to a path to divine favor in Christianity, and a deserved outcome in meritocracies. The narrative challenges the contemporary focus on financial success as the sole measure of achievement, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of failure that is both noble and educative.

Takeaways
  • 🎭 Ancient Greek tragedy taught audiences that good people can suffer and that sympathy is essential in the face of failure.
  • 🏹 The story of the Spartans at Thermopylae exemplified the nobility in failure, reinforcing the idea that one can be honorable despite defeat.
  • 🏛️ Roman society revered success, associating it with wealth, fame, and military glory, which led to a strong stigma around failure.
  • 🗡️ The suicide of Roman General Varus highlighted the extreme consequences of failure, indicating a culture where shame was inescapably tied to failure.
  • 🕊️ Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount conveyed that the 'meek' were blessed, suggesting that failure could be a path to divine favor and humility.
  • 🌄 Buddhism, as taught by The Buddha, considered worldly success as unimportant, advocating for the renouncement of desires for true contentment.
  • 🏙️ Napoleon Bonaparte's meritocracy aimed to create a society where success was based on talent rather than birthright, reshaping the concept of success and failure.
  • 🎨 The Salon des Refusés demonstrated that initial rejection did not negate true artistic genius, which may eventually be recognized and celebrated.
  • 💼 Forbes' celebration of wealth as a measure of success was contrasted by economic collapses that undermined the credibility of such a narrow view of success.
  • 🚂 Occupy Wall Street protesters challenged the prevailing notion of success, advocating for a broader definition that includes wisdom and kindness.
  • 🌪️ Despite historical lessons on the nobility of failure, modern society remains heavily focused on financial success, often neglecting the importance of compassion towards those who fail.
Q & A

  • What is the central theme of the tragedy 'Oedipus the King' by Sophocles?

    -The central theme of 'Oedipus the King' is the exploration of how an honorable and capable individual can still experience catastrophic failure, and how Greek tragedy aimed to show audiences the importance of sympathy and kindness towards those who fail.

  • How did the ancient Greeks view failure in the context of their society and their annual festivals?

    -The ancient Greeks viewed failure as a natural part of life that could befall even the best of people. They used their annual festivals to reinforce the message that it was essential to remain sympathetic and kind towards those who experienced failure.

  • What was the Roman perspective on success and how did it influence their attitude towards failure?

    -For the Romans, success was highly valued and was associated with wealth, fame, and military glory. This perspective created a great deal of anxiety around failure, as it was seen as a reflection of one's worth and often led to shame and self-inflicted consequences like suicide.

  • How did Christianity, as introduced in the Sermon on the Mount, challenge the worldly values of Rome?

    -Christianity, as presented in the Sermon on the Mount, challenged the worldly values of Rome by privileging poverty, obscurity, and weakness over wealth, fame, and strength. It suggested that failure in the eyes of the world could be a sign of divine favor and spiritual success.

  • What was the significance of the Buddha's realization about human beings and how did it redefine success in Buddhist philosophy?

    -The Buddha realized that all humans are deeply maladjusted and unhappy, and that worldly success, power, and riches offer no true satisfaction. In Buddhist philosophy, true success is achieved by renouncing desires and escaping the cycles of craving and wanting, which might be seen as failure by conventional standards.

  • How did Napoleon Bonaparte's establishment of a meritocracy change the perception of success and failure in France?

    -Napoleon Bonaparte's meritocracy, based on the principle of 'la carrière ouverte aux talents', shifted the perception of success and failure in France. Success was now seen as more fair and deserved, based on talent rather than birthright. However, this also meant that failure was increasingly seen as deserved, rather than accidental or morally neutral as the Christian ideal had suggested.

  • What was the impact of the 1863 French government's artistic salon on the perception of artistic success and failure?

    -The 1863 French government's artistic salon, which rejected a significant number of paintings, led to the establishment of a rival exhibition by the rejected artists. This event contributed to a shift in public perception, recognizing that officially unsuccessful artists could, in fact, be the true geniuses, challenging the established notions of success in the art world.

  • How did the Forbes magazine's first list of the richest people and the subsequent stock market crash reflect the American dream's influence on society?

    -The Forbes list celebrated the wealthiest individuals, reflecting the American dream's emphasis on financial success. However, the subsequent stock market crash shook confidence in the economic system and the meritocracy it represented, highlighting the potential flaws in equating success solely with wealth.

  • What was the broader message of the Occupy Wall Street movement in relation to the concept of success?

    -The Occupy Wall Street movement challenged the narrow elite's distortion of the ideas of success and the good life. They argued that being a decent person involves acting wisely and kindly towards others and the planet, rather than just accumulating wealth, echoing the teachings of Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount.

  • How has the modern world's approach to success and failure evolved compared to historical perspectives?

    -The modern world has become highly success-focused, often defining success by narrow, usually financial criteria. There has been a significant reduction in the influence of religion and art, which historically provided alternative narratives on failure and success. This has led to a culture of silence around failure and a lack of understanding on how to cope with it.

  • What can we learn from historical perspectives on failure to help us in today's success-focused world?

    -Historical perspectives on failure teach us that it is not always a reflection of personal worth or ability. By revisiting these ideas, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of success and learn to be less harsh on ourselves when we face setbacks in a world that overly emphasizes financial success.

Outlines
00:00
🎭 Cultural Perceptions of Failure Through History

This paragraph explores the varying perspectives on failure across different cultures and time periods. It begins with ancient Athens, where Greek tragedies like Sophocles' 'Oedipus the King' taught audiences that good people can suffer terrible fates, advocating for sympathy towards the fallen. The narrative then contrasts this with the Roman view, where success, equated with wealth, fame, and military glory, was paramount, and failure was seen as shameful. The paragraph continues to discuss the noble defeat of Spartans at Thermopylae, the Christian and Buddhist revaluation of worldly failure, and the shift towards meritocracy in Napoleonic France. It also touches on the changing attitudes towards success and failure in modern times, highlighting the challenges faced by artists and the societal impact of economic fluctuations.

05:05
🌍 The Evolution of Success and Failure in Society

This paragraph delves into the evolving concepts of success and failure in society, from the establishment of the meritocracy by Napoleon Bonaparte to the public recognition of initially rejected artists as true geniuses. It discusses the irony of Forbes' celebration of wealth and the subsequent stock market crash, as well as the Occupy Wall Street movement's critique of the top 1% and their distortion of success. The paragraph emphasizes the narrow focus on financial success in contemporary society and the lack of support systems akin to religion and art that once provided a more nuanced view of failure. It calls for a reevaluation of historical ideas to mitigate the harsh self-judgment that comes with perceived failure in today's success-oriented world.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡failure
The concept of failure is central to the video's narrative, referring to situations where individuals do not meet certain expected standards or outcomes. It is explored historically, showing how different societies have viewed and responded to failure, from Greek tragedy to modern meritocracies. The video suggests that our contemporary focus on success often overlooks the potential nobility and learning opportunities inherent in failure.
💡success
Success is presented as a multifaceted concept, often contrasted with failure. Throughout history, success has been associated with wealth, fame, and power. However, the video challenges the traditional notion of success by highlighting alternative values, such as meekness in Christianity and renunciation in Buddhism, which view success in a more spiritual or moral context.
💡sympathy
Sympathy is the emotional response of compassion and understanding towards the experiences of others, especially in times of failure. The video emphasizes the importance of sympathy in how ancient Greek tragedies encouraged audiences to feel for characters like Oedipus, recognizing that anyone, even the most virtuous, can experience failure.
💡meritocracy
Meritocracy is a social system where individuals are rewarded based on their abilities and talents, rather than their social status or wealth. The video discusses Napoleon Bonaparte's efforts to establish a meritocracy in France, which aimed to create a fairer system of recognizing and rewarding success. However, it also led to a new perception of failure as deserved, rather than accidental or neutral.
💡redemption
Redemption refers to the act of being saved or rescued from a negative state or condition, often with spiritual or moral connotations. In the context of the video, it relates to the idea that true success may not be immediately recognized and that figures like John Keats or Vincent van Gogh were redeemed posthumously, highlighting the theme that initial failure does not preclude eventual recognition and success.
💡nobility
Nobility in the video refers to the moral quality of being honorable and admirable, even in the face of failure. It is contrasted with the shame and humiliation often associated with failure. The historical examples in the video show that failure can be seen as noble, reflecting virtues like courage, integrity, and self-sacrifice.
💡Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In the video, it is highlighted for its unique perspective on failure, where being meek and poor in worldly terms is seen as a path to divine success. This contrasts with the worldly values of wealth and power, offering an alternative view of success and failure.
💡Buddhism
Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life. In the context of the video, Buddhism is presented as a philosophy that devalues worldly success in favor of spiritual enlightenment, which involves renouncing desires and recognizing the inherent suffering in the pursuit of material wealth and power.
💡American Dream
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States that suggests freedom, equality, and the opportunity for prosperity and success are possible for anyone, regardless of their social class or circumstances. The video critiques the modern interpretation of the American Dream, which equates success solely with financial wealth, and suggests that this narrow view overlooks the value of other forms of success and the possibility of finding meaning in failure.
💡genius
Genius refers to exceptional intellectual or creative power, often associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields despite initial rejection or lack of recognition. The video suggests that true genius may not be immediately recognized and that societal definitions of success can sometimes overlook those who are later considered visionary.
💡economic meltdown
An economic meltdown refers to a sudden and severe economic downturn, often characterized by a sharp decline in asset values, increased unemployment, and a general loss of confidence in the economy. The video uses the term to describe significant financial crises, such as the stock market crash of 1987 and the global financial crisis of 2011, which challenged the prevailing narratives of success and the validity of the economic system.
Highlights

The historical perspective on failure and its impact on society is explored, showing how different cultures have viewed failure over time.

In 429 BC Athens, the tragedy 'Oedipus the King' illustrates that even good people can suffer great failures, emphasizing the importance of sympathy and kindness towards the failed.

The story of the Spartan army at Thermopylae demonstrates that nobility can be found in failure, reinforcing the idea that one can be good even in defeat.

The Roman society, in 46 AD, revered success, associating it with wealth, fame, and military glory, which created anxiety around failure.

The Roman general Varus' suicide after a military defeat in 9 AD reflects the extreme shame and humiliation associated with failure in Roman culture.

Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount in 30 AD promotes the idea that the meek, or those who are unsuccessful, may be more favored in the eyes of God, challenging worldly values.

Buddhism, emerging in the 5th century BC, teaches that worldly success is meaningless and that true success lies in renouncing desires and finding peace.

Napoleon Bonaparte's meritocracy in Paris, 1799, aimed to create a fairer system of success based on talent rather than birth or wealth, but also introduced the idea that failure could be deserved.

The 1863 Paris Salon's rejection of innovative artists showed that official success does not always recognize true talent, a theme that would repeat in the art and society of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The 1987 Forbes list of richest people and the subsequent stock market crash highlights the fragility of financial success and the potential flaws in economic systems.

The 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement challenged the conventional notions of success, arguing that being a decent person is more important than financial wealth.

The narrative of the 'genius' who is initially rejected but later celebrated reflects a recurring theme in history, where true success may not be immediately recognized.

The American Dream and its focus on financial success can lead to a narrow view of failure, ignoring the potential nobility and growth that can come from it.

Religion and art historically provided narratives that softened the blow of failure, but such perspectives have become less prevalent in contemporary society.

The importance of revisiting historical perspectives on failure is emphasized to find more balanced and compassionate views on the subject.

Transcripts

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