Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

[DISCLAIMER]

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 Stoic philosopher Seneca who stated, “Why then are we offended? Why do we complain? This is what we’re here for” (page 176). Expanding on this perspective, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 176):

No one said life was easy. No one said it would be fair. Don’t forget, though, that you come from a long, unbroken line of ancestors who survived unimaginable adversity, difficulty, and struggle.

It’s their genes and their blood that run through your body right now. Without them, you wouldn’t be here. You’re an heir to an impressive tradition—and as their viable offspring, you’re capable of what they are capable of.

You’re meant for this. Bred for it. Just something to keep in mind if things get tough.

Thinking of this worldview, I’m reminded of a personal anecdote. In 2014, my (then) girlfriend and I graduated from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s School of Social Work (now the Steve Hicks School of Social Work), earning Master of Science in Social Work degrees.

Congratulating my girlfriend on her success, as she excelled in her academic pursuits far more than I, she responded something to the effect of, “I can’t take credit for it, because I’m standing on the shoulders of giants who came before me.” Regarding her admission, one source states:

The phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants” is a metaphor which means “using the understanding gained by major thinkers who have gone before in order to make intellectual progress”. […]

This concept has been dated to the 12th century and, according to John of Salisbury, is attributed to Bernard of Chartres. Its most familiar and popular expression occurs in a 1675 letter by Isaac Newton: “if I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Similar to my girlfriend’s view, my late stepmom said of my graduation something to the effect of, “Praise Jesus! God is good!” The perspectives of both my girlfriend and stepmom reflect the viewpoint advocated by authors of The Daily Stoic.

In essence, these individuals forewent attributing full credit to a person who achieved success by instead appealing to contributions from ancestors, intellectual heavyweights, demigods, deities, and others. However, I didn’t see the giants upon whose shoulders I’ve apparently stood.

As I told my stepmom in response to her remark, much to her chagrin, “I never saw Jesus in the classroom with me, writing any of my papers, or taking any of my exams for me. And even if I prayed to Jehovah for help, it’s not like He didn’t have better things to do than to assist me.”

Correspondingly, I said to my girlfriend something along the lines of, “Your ancestors lived and died, though it was you who received a diploma.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, neither my stepmom nor girlfriend was appreciative of my standpoint.

At the time, I recognized that people have personal agency (an individual’s power to make choices and control or influence one’s own life). This is a matter of empowerment. To me, “standing on the shoulders of giants” seemed like a dis-empowering view.

Similarly, I took personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”) for my actions in life. For improved comprehension, responsibility is defined as the quality or state of being responsible, such as a moral, legal, or mental accountability.

Here, “responsible” is defined as liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent, and being able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations—something, such as the demands of conscience or custom, that obligates one to a course of action.

Accountability is defined as the quality or state of being accountable, especially regarding an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions. Here, “accountable” is defined as subject to giving an account—a statement explaining one’s conduct.

When acknowledging personal agency and ownership for having completed graduate school, I rejected a “standing on the shoulders of giants” outlook. After all, my girlfriend and I were the individuals who committed to the hard work necessary in order to earn our degrees.

My mindset of the time reflected a verse on rapper Rick Ross’s song “Stay Schemin’”, from the mixtape Rich Forever (2012), featuring rappers Drake and French Montana. Specifically, Drake stated of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant’s marital woes:

Kobe ‘bout to lose a hundred fifty Ms [millions]

Kobe my nigga, I hate it had to be him

Bitch, you wasn’t with me shootin’ in the gym

(Huh! Bitch, you wasn’t with me shootin’ in the gym)

The phrase “you wasn’t with me shootin’ in the gym” ostensibly referenced a spouse’s presumed entitlement to the income, prestige, or resources otherwise regarding a respective martial partner. It became a common saying within the hip hop subculture for a period of time.

Noteworthy, since the release of “Stay Schemin’”, one source reports, “Mrs. Bryant has revealed that she ‘received a text of apology forwarded from [Drake’s] manager. It’s done and over with and it’s time for people to honestly THINK before speaking.” Drake apparently apologized.

In similar fashion to Drake’s reported perspective shift, I’ve since changed my beliefs. While I still advocate personal agency and ownership, I also acknowledge the sacrifices others have made which have led to this moment in time. I’ve also allowed others to stand on my shoulders.

Regarding this matter, in a blogpost entitled Self-Help I stated that “self-help involves use of one’s own exertion toward a desired outcome, though this doesn’t mean neglect or abandonment of assistance from or toward others.” Admittedly, I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants.

Even though I was at odds with most of the UT faculty, I learned invaluable lessons about how not to approach the field of mental, emotional, and behavioral health. It was in the halls of UT that my identification with feminist rhetoric died. I’m grateful for that uncomfortable experience.

My ex-girlfriend was someone from whom I also learned. Perhaps most importantly, she taught me about the significance of a clean break when she referenced Proverbs 26:11, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” When she left me, so went repeated folly.

My belated stepmom taught me the most of all. From the time I was three-years-old until a couple years before her death, I stood high upon her shoulders with life lessons too vast to describe in this blogpost. As my most treasured source of support, I remain thankful for her.

Even Drake reinforced a meaningful lesson. Altering one’s own perspective, while not entirely necessary when it regards the topic of unearned entitlement, is preferable to rigidly clinging to a fixed worldview. Now, no one is allowed as I’m “shootin’ in the gym.” No apologies necessary.

Ultimately, I’ve had a lot of help in my lifetime. Standing on the shoulders of giants is something with which I imagine you’re also familiar. Given the psychoeducational lesson expressed herein, I invite you to think about those who’ve taught, supported, or preceded you.

None of us is entirely separated from figures of the past, present, and future. For this, I’m appreciative. Thus, I encourage you not to adopt my former perspective. Rather, I hope to inspire you to acknowledge the giants upon whose shoulders you’ve stood. Oh, and, hook ‘em forever!

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 the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues 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:

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