Scott Godwin - Fitness, Nutrition, Wellness
  • Blog
  • About
  • Bookstore
  • Subscribe for Free
  • Free E-Books
  • Services
  • Best of the Blog
  • Endorsements
  • The 12 Rules of Fitness
  • Models
  • Speaking Profile
  • Contact
  • 3.0 Fitness Personal Training VIP

Quietism

7/23/2018

 
I was listening to Victor David Hansen recently on Youtube deliver a speech about the future of America. Something he talked about resonated 100%.  Hansen is a superb historian, if you’ve never read his books or heard him speak, I highly recommend his work.  Hansen is a classicist, someone who specializes in Western classical learning, particularly in classic literature like Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey, Greek mythology and philosophy, Roman law and history, as well as the Bible and the history of the Church, and other subjects like Latin, Greek, and Rhetoric.   

In this talk, Hansen mentioned something that really caught my attention.  He mentioned that during a period of great upheaval in Athenian society, many people started practicing something called quietism.  And, that many people were practicing it in right now America, even if they aren’t aware of it. 
 
Quietism - Definition of quietism

1 : a passive withdrawn attitude or policy toward the world or worldly affairs 
2: a state of calmness or passivity
 
I find his observation on point.  He says that many Americans, perhaps a majority, aren’t interested in popular culture that much, or arguing about the latest identity politics issue, or addicted to the news and the outrage culture.  They are instead living their lives, seeking out quiet times with family and friends and avoiding contentious conversations, and importantly, arguments. Mainly, they just want to live their lives and be left alone.
 
These comments by Hansen immediately recalled the book “After Virtue”by Alisdair Macyntire, one of the most influential books of the previous century.  Macyntire makes the point in that book that modern culture is often like sitting down to play chess and the two players are using two different rule books and the game makes no sense. It’s better to agree on the “rules” ahead of time, if you want your life to make sense.  Otherwise, opt out of the particular game.  It doesn’t mean you can’t “play”, but be careful which “game” you sign up for. 
 
I think most people get this, from a common-sense perspective, and are practicing a form of quietism, like Hansen talks about. I know I do, some of the time, though I do enjoy friendly arguments at times. I don’t consume pop culture or many movies, and I’m just not that interested in what’s going on in the culture.  I just try to live my life for the most part.  Millions of other Americans don’t either, they just want to live a good life and do their thing and be left alone.   You don’t have to go live in a monastery in order to check out on the noise and silliness. 
 
When things don’t make a lot of sense, quietism could be a wise strategy. We only have so much time and energy, so it’s not worth wasting it.  Focus on your work, your hobbies, your community, your tradition, and enjoying life.  The craziness will pass eventually.  
 
P.S. IF you want to read an article Hansen wrote about the same topic, check this article out:
Confessions of a Cultural Drop- Out by Victor David Hansen
 
----
Like the blog?  Pass it on.

​Read Next: What About Carbs?


 
 
 
    Picture

      Sign up for my free "3.0 Health" Newsletter:

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Categories

    All
    Fitness
    Nutrition
    Wellness

    Picture
    Picture
    Watch the
    Movement & Meaning Trailer
    :
    Picture

      Survey

    Submit

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly