(7 minute read)

“There are no great men. If you have a hero, look again; you have diminished yourself in some way.”

Sheldon Kopp as quoted in Ball Four, Jim Bouton, Turner Publishing, 2014

“When someone is properly grounded in life, they shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.”

Epictetus

“…meaning in life does not come from the outside; it is constructed by you as a moral agent.”

Ryan Holiday, Daily Stoic

If there is one thing readers enjoy it is the pleasure they get from their favorite authors. More times than not, their words not only motivate but the details of their lives are an inspiration.

Epictetus was a Stoic philosopher born a few decades before the Common Era. He wasn’t a writer. In fact, he left no writings. We only know about him because of the efforts of one of his students, Arrian. Using the copious amounts of notes he amassed from observing Epictetus’ lectures he wrote volumes of material.

Marcus Aurelius and Voltaire, among others, were greatly influenced by these writings.

The life of Epictetus, as outlined by his student, was fascinating.

He was born into slavery. He demonstrated his skill in persuasion early by convincing his owner to allow him to study philosophy. This education allowed him to increase his status in life when he eventually earned his freedom. Moving to Rome he began teaching philosophy until the Roman emperor, Domitian, banished philosophers from teaching. From there he moved to Greece establishing a school where he taught until he died well into his 80s.

Being born into slavery and moving up the social strata was not an easy accomplishment. To make matters worse, as he got older he became lame from a conflicting leg injury. One account describes the lameness due to a childhood mishap. The other claims he sustained a broken leg from his master. He never married, but in his later years he adopted a child whose parents couldn’t care for.

Epictetus is credited as one of the early contributors to the Stoicism philosophy. The early stoics stressed developing an “inner life” through reliance on education and personal ethics. The resulting development and use of logic helps to round out the discipline.

The discipline promises a deep level of personal contentment and happiness despite the highs and lows of personal circumstances.

Epictetus is also credited with the idea that philosophy was not simply the idea of memorizing theories. It was a practice and “way of life.”

Stoicism posits that despite our surrounding circumstances the only control we have in life is developing an inner calm. Each of us has a moral responsibility to develop that life.

It is interesting to note the juxtaposition of the circumstances surrounding the life of Epictetus to his philosophy.

He had no control over the circumstances in which he was born. He had little to no control over the external pressures of living in that slavery. The rigors of studying and eventually teaching philosophy challenged him to embrace his circumstances while transcending them. Being banished with his academic peers from Rome also affected him.

These experiences must have informed his philosophy on developing an inner life. They tested and validated what he believed he was constructing for himself and his pupils.

In our quest for the meaning of life there are several factors that stay constant through time. One is the inner wish to find meaning. The second are the actions we take in searching for that meaning. The third is our propensity to latch onto a group or person that provides answers to the first two.

I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your TV
Oh, I’m the cult of personality

I exploit you, still you love me
I tell you, one and one makes three
Oh, I’m the cult of personality

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi
I’m the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a leader speaks, that leader dies
You won’t have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune, you gave me fame
You gave me power in your god’s name
I’m every person you need to be
Oh, I’m the cult of personality

Song Lyrics Cult of Personality – Living Colour

These lyrics are from the rock band, Living Colour. The song sharply criticizes the idolization of a celebrity culture. It delivers a scathing message for our propensity to worship heroes of any kind.

It is natural to appreciate writings or deeds. Recognizing the efforts of an individual or an organization is important. The admonishment of Epictetus aligns with the intent of the Living Colour lyrics, even centuries later. This alignment gives us cause to pause.

The people and things that surround us, family, friends, coworkers, institutions, etc. can all go away in an instant. Often they do so despite the power we think we have to keep them close.

Things change.

One common trait we have as human beings is the need for security. We have the propensity to hold onto people, places, and things for that security. The need for security is as universal and as old as mankind.

But people, places, and things are impermanent. They can’t and don’t stay forever.

Again, things change.

What in the world has this got to do with hero worship?

Hero worship is not relegated to only a person.

We become unshakable to the things happening around us by realizing certain truths. We must know that we can’t create change beyond our own selves. The wish for security seems to be ingrained in our DNA. We are constantly seeking for stability in every way, shape, or form.

It’s the autopilot of life and it needs to be interrupted.

We do not seek out or welcome chaos with sadomasochistic arms. Yet, there are times when we can’t predict or control the events surrounding us.

If we accept this basic premise, we understand our only real power is internal. It is the power to be who we really and truly want to be. If we accept that, then we can grow.

Growth comes from choosing not to become paralyzed by fear and dread to anything that happens. We can learn to use the circumstance to change ourselves. We can choose to react to people, places, and things with love and confidence.

If we place our security in the people, places, and things surrounding us, what happens when those things disappoint us? What do we do when they fail or fade away? If we allow ourselves to be devastated then maybe we are guilty of hero worship. We are putting on a pedestal some one or something that can’t be there forever.

Surroundings are transient and stoicism teaches us that real meaning comes from developing the security of the inner life.

Our surroundings do not define who we really are. Our status in our families and communities do not decide who we really are. While we cherish and appreciate our loved ones they also do not decide who we really are. And of course our heroes do not form who we really are.

We are brave when we are properly grounded in life. Then, we don’t look for anything on the outside to confirm us. If we can free ourselves from seeking security from external forces, we liberate ourselves from worshiping our heroes.

We must also free ourselves from our own paralyzing expectations. We need to escape from the prison-like expectations from others. Then …and only then can there come an internal power and love to care for everything and everyone.