The hottest Heroism Substack posts right now

History is not a linear journey of progress; it's complex and constantly changing.
Humans can transcend instinct and live with prescience and discipline.
Rejecting technological determinism, humans must enrich themselves to navigate and master history.

Merely playing sports may not convey the full spectrum of virtue and spiritual experience sought; modern sports lack metaphysical significance and encounters with the transcendent.
Sport is a vehicle for developing essential virtue, such as discipline and hardiness, which underpin the pursuit of higher goals.
True sport is a fundamentally spiritual quest, calling for a connection between physicality and spirit, ultimately leading to transcending oneself through play, beauty, action, prayer, and devotion.

Words have a powerful influence on shaping individuals.
Aeneas' speech to Achilles in Iliad 20 showcases the dynamic nature of heroic speech and storytelling.
The encounter between Achilles and Aeneas highlights the complexities of heroism, lineage, and the power of narratives in shaping perspectives.

Book 20 of the Iliad brings out the themes of narrative traditions, the interactions between Gods and humans, and heroism.
Zeus in Book 20 shifts from being an internal audience to briefly shaping the narrative, showing his concerns for the consequences of actions beyond fate.
The pleasure Zeus takes in watching the narrative unfold hints at the vicarious experience of resolving suspense and the ending of a tale.

Sarpedon's speech in the Iliad emphasizes the importance of proving one's noble worth through deeds to earn fame and glory in the face of mortality.
The contrast between Sarpedon's wish for immortality and Hektor's desperate energy in the text highlights different attitudes towards facing death in battles.
The epic explores the complexity of heroism, questioning the values of fighting for personal gain and fame in the context of mortality and the reality of battle.

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The movie Gladiator raises the question of whether it embodies Stoic principles.
Maximus's pursuit of revenge in Gladiator is seen as being non-Stoic due to his intense passion and anger.
The character of Maximus in Gladiator eventually evolves to embody more Stoic values, moving from a place of rage to fulfilling his duty.

The Iliad presents interwoven themes like politics, heroism, gods and humans, family and friends, and narrative traditions.
In the Iliad, politics are explored through conflicts among Greeks, Trojans, and Gods, delving into questions of authority and consequences of dysfunctional politics.
Heroism in the Iliad is depicted through characters like Achilles and Hektor, exploring themes of strength, wisdom, and narrative patterns of withdrawal and return.