A Fountain of Goodness: Subjective and Objective Views

[DISCLAIMER]

When serving as a Marine Security Guard in Lima, Peru (2000-2001), I posed for the above photo when standing adjacent to the Fountain of the Plaza Mayor. Originally inaugurated in 1578, with retouching since, it features a statue of Pheme, one of the gods of Ancient Greece.

During the time I was assigned to a diplomatic post in Lima, I remained a member of the Churches of Christ. As well, I still subscribed to tenets up with which I was raised in regard to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thus, I didn’t view the statue of a false god on the fountain as good.

For context, that which is “good” is of a favorable character or tendency, of a high or desired quality, or expressing praise or approval. Admittedly, this matter is subjective (characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind).

Whereas I supposed that the display of Pheme in the predominately Christian nation of Peru was subjectively bad (failing to reach an acceptable standard, or morally objectionable), the Marines with whom I visited the fountain maintained that the statue was subjectively good.

If I said that the Fountain of the Plaza Mayor wasn’t a fountain of goodness (the quality or state of being good), then my claim wouldn’t have been objective (expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations).

The takeaway here is that subjectivity doesn’t imply objectivity when addressing points of view (positions or perspectives from which something is considered or evaluated), or simply “views.” It’s with this understanding that I now turn to a book that I’ve been steadily reading.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

The authors quote ancient Stoic and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who stated, “Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging” (page 323). Regarding this point of view, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 323):

Today, we could hope that goodness comes our way—good news, good weather, good luck. Or we could find it ourselves, in ourselves. Goodness isn’t something that’s going to be delivered by mail. You have to dig it up inside your own soul. You find it within your own thoughts, and you make it with your own actions.

I don’t entertain childish notions of fallible human beings existing as good, bad, or otherwise. We are merely imperfect people who can think or behave in ways that are good, bad, and so forth. Thus, from my subjective view, there’s not “a fountain of goodness” within anyone.

I’d understand if a four-year-old maintained a subjective point of view to the contrary. Nevertheless, ancient and modern Stoics are free to spew from their proverbial fountains subjective claims of goodness. Likewise, you’re welcome to believe in childish notions.

After all, the views I’ve expressed herein aren’t objective. So, if you want to believe that a unicorn erected a personal Fountain of the Plaza Mayor within you, as magical elves retouch the fountain to maintain its eternal goodness, then that’s your subjective point of view. Have at it!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Daily Stoic. (n.d.). Translating the Stoics: An interview with “The Daily Stoic” co-author Stephen Hanselman. Retrieved from https://dailystoic.com/stephen-hanselman-interview/

Holiday, R. and Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Penguin Random House LLC. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-d61378067.html

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