The Medieval Roots of Modern Self-Help
This article explores the surprising connections between medieval spiritual frameworks and contemporary self-help culture, centered on Peter Jones’s book, 'Self-Help From the Middle Ages.' The author reflects on modern digital malaise, questioning if current behaviors constitute a new 'eighth deadly sin' beyond the traditional seven. Jones, a medieval historian, argues that the High and Later Middle Ages were surprisingly similar to modern times in their obsession with categorizing human behavior through buzzwords and lists. The text traces the evolution of the seven deadly sins from Evagrius Ponticus’s original eight 'generic thoughts' to Pope Gregory the Great’s finalized list. By examining historical allegories and theological adjustments, the article suggests that these ancient moral maps offer valuable insights for navigating modern psychological struggles. It challenges the notion that self-help is purely a modern invention, highlighting how medieval thinkers also sought practical ways to manage human nature, vice, and virtue. The piece blends personal reflection with historical analysis, illustrating how medieval concepts like acedia resonate with today's sense of online emptiness and distraction.
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The Medieval Roots of Modern Self-Help
This article explores the surprising connections between medieval spiritual frameworks and contemporary self-help culture, centered on Peter Jones’s book, 'Self-Help From the Middle Ages.' The author reflects on modern digital malaise, questioning if current behaviors constitute a new 'eighth deadly sin' beyond the traditional seven. Jones, a medieval historian, argues that the High and Later Middle Ages were surprisingly similar to modern times in their obsession with categorizing human behavior through buzzwords and lists. The text traces the evolution of the seven deadly sins from Evagrius Ponticus’s original eight 'generic thoughts' to Pope Gregory the Great’s finalized list. By examining historical allegories and theological adjustments, the article suggests that these ancient moral maps offer valuable insights for navigating modern psychological struggles. It challenges the notion that self-help is purely a modern invention, highlighting how medieval thinkers also sought practical ways to manage human nature, vice, and virtue. The piece blends personal reflection with historical analysis, illustrating how medieval concepts like acedia resonate with today's sense of online emptiness and distraction.
theatlantic