Virtuous Living, America’s Responsibility Problem, and Developing Your Moral Code — with Ryan Holiday

Virtue vs. Signaling

Ryan Holiday explores the distinction between genuine virtue and superficial virtue signaling in today's polarized political climate. He argues that virtue signaling has become a catch-all term, often used to dismiss actions that require moral integrity, particularly on the political right. Holiday emphasizes that true virtue involves adhering to a personal code of values, despite life's distractions and temptations 1.

Virtue is a real thing that the stoics demand that we try to live by. I don't think anyone is perfect at it, but I think the idea that you have a certain code or set of values that you live by and you try to adhere to them even amidst the temptations and distractions and frustrations of life.

--- Ryan Holiday

Scott Galloway adds that the current political discourse leaves no room for moderation, with both extremes attacking those who don't fully align with their views 1.

   

Moral Code

Developing a personal moral code is central to stoicism, as Ryan Holiday explains through the concept of 'epithets for the self.' He shares his practice of using evocative words as guideposts for his behavior, acknowledging that while he may fall short, these words help him prioritize his values 2.

I have a four by six note card with seven words written on it. And they are honest, calm, fair, brave, generous father. And still, those are like, I know they're not. Technically, it's not really a code because they're more like evocative words. But to me, these are, like, statements of priority in my life.

--- Ryan Holiday

Scott Galloway relates this to his own teaching, where he encourages students to define their life through three guiding words, emphasizing the importance of a personal code in both professional and personal realms 2.