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A Simplistic Perspective

  • Writer: Deric Hollings
    Deric Hollings
  • 7 hours ago
  • 5 min read

 

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 Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius who stated, “If you find something very difficult to achieve yourself, don’t imagine it impossible—for anything possible and proper for another person can be achieved as easily by you” (page 182).

 

I find Aurelius’s view to be rather simple (lacking in knowledge or expertise) when viewed through the lens of modernity. Aurelius, who lived from April 26, 121 to March 17, 180, may’ve had a different perspective (a mental view or prospect) if he were alive in 2025.

 

Of course, one can never be sure, as this is a matter of unfalsifiability (incapability of being proved false). In any case, I maintain that some outcomes—if not many—are actually impossible (incapable of being or of occurring) achieve.

 

To discount matters such as ability, wealth, or other characteristics and elements of life is to view matters in a manner that is simplistic (excessively simple or simplified: treating a problem or subject with false simplicity by omitting or ignoring complicating factors or details).

 

For example, one source states, “During the 2022-2023 NBA [National Basketball Association] season, the average height of NBA players was about 6’6” or 198.6cm tall, which is 8 inches taller than the [United States] average height for males.” That’s relatively tall for adult males.

 

Meanwhile, another source reports that horse “jockeys tend to be short in stature, averaging between 4’10” and 5’6″ (147 to 168 cm).” That’s relatively short for adult males, as claims I’ve made about professional basketball players and jockeys are empirical (based on observation).

 

However, my claims aren’t idealistic (not realistic or practical). Using Aurelius’s idealistic approach to life, which regards a simplistic perspective, a horse jokey ideally should be able to perform well in the NBA. That’s impossible. Using the horse motif, that claim is plain horse shit!

 

What utility is there in speaking idealistic falsehood rather than expressing truthful claims about reality? Not to be outdone by Aurelius’s simplistic perspective, authors of The Daily Stoic offer their own irrational (not in accordance with both logic and reason) perspective (page 182):

 

There are two kinds of people in this world. The first looks at others who have accomplished things and thinks: Why them? Why not me? The other looks at those same people and thinks: If they can do it, why can’t I?

 

“There are two kinds of people in this world”? Dear reader, when hearing irrational claims such as this, I encourage you to think of apples. For instance, one source reports, “There are more than 7,500 cultivars of apples. Different cultivars are bred for various tastes and uses.”

 

A “cultivar” is an organism and especially one of an agricultural or horticultural variety or strain originating and persistent under cultivation. Think of this term as a form of variety (the quality or state of having different forms or types).

 

It’s as absurd to suggest that there are only “two kinds of people” as it is to suggest that there are only Honeycrisp and Granny Smith varieties of apples. In actuality, there are many cultivars of apples. Likewise, there are more than “two kinds of people.” Can we be honest about this topic?

 

While I can appreciate that authors of The Daily Stoic perhaps believe that narrowing of a simplistic perspective may help readers digest a particular Stoic worldview, I reject the idealistic falsehood of their frame. As well, the authors state of their narrow “two kinds” view (page 182):

 

One is zero-sum and jealous (if you win, I lose). The other is non-zero-sum (there’s plenty to go around) and sees the success of others as an inspiration. Which attitude will propel you onward and upward? Which will drive you to bitterness and despair? Who will you be?

 

I suppose one who lacks the ability to think critically would gobble up the horse shit-covered Honeycrisp and Granny Smith argument brought forth by the authors. Yet, adding variety of realistic truth, I’d much rather go for a Fuji, Envy, or Golden Delicious apple, and call it a day.

 

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


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References:

 

Attard, J. (2025, August 20). Weight and height of horse jockeys. Horse Sport. Retrieved from https://horsesport.com/magazine/business/weight-and-height-of-horse-jockeys/

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

Hollings, D. (2024, November 4). Critical thinking. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/critical-thinking

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, December 4). Empirical dispute. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empirical-dispute

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Ideal should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ideal-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2025, October 13). Knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/knowledge-wisdom-understanding

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2024, September 27). My attitude. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-attitude

Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth

Hollings, D. (2023, November 23). Problems. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/problems

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stoicism

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2023, October 22). Unfalsifiability. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unfalsifiability

Lines. (2025, September 21). The average NBA player height (updated 2025). Clovis Media Group Inc. Retrieved from https://www.lines.com/guides/average-height-nba-players/1519

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Marcus Aurelius. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ryan Holiday. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Holiday

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