The Sword of Damocles: We Can Fear and Dread It, or We Can Use It to Motivate Us

[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 Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who stated, “Don’t behave as if you are destined to live forever. What’s fated hangs over you. As long as you live and while you can, become good now” (page 368). I disagree with this prescription.

While I concur that no organic living being will “live forever,” as dying is our inescapable fate (the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do), I don’t maintain that humans can “become good.”

From the perspective of REBT, evaluating and appraising people is largely unhelpful. As an example, subjectively believing that I’m good (i.e., evaluation) or maintaining that I have worth (i.e., appraisal) disregards the objective condition of my mere human fallibility.

At my core, I’m simply a flawed individual who can behave poorly, well, or otherwise. However, I’m not my beliefs, behavior, image, and so on. Thus, there’s no need to evaluate or appraise myself, though I can rate my ideas, actions, appearances, and so forth.

Therefore, while I concur with Aurelius’ description regarding one’s inevitable death, I disagree with his prescription of becoming “good,” as I exist as a fallible human being who can try to do good, well, or otherwise. Regarding Aurelius’ view, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 368):

There is an ancient story of a courtier who had made light of the responsibilities of his king. To prove he was mistaken, the king arranged to switch places with the courtier so he could experience what it was like to be a king.

The king made one other adjustment: he hung a sword by a hair over the throne to illustrate the peril and burden of kingship as well as the constant fear of assassination. We call that dangling reminder of death and difficulty the Sword of Damocles.

The moral anecdote regarding the Sword of Damocles is an allusion to the imminent and ever-present peril faced by those in positions of power. Similarly, when considering personal empowerment or disempowerment, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 368):

The reality is that a similar sword hangs over all of us—life can be taken from us at any moment. And that threat can send us in one of two directions: we can fear and dread it, or we can use it to motivate us.

For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines fear as “a basic, intense emotion aroused by the detection of imminent threat, involving an immediate alarm reaction that mobilizes the organism by triggering a set of physiological changes.”

Additionally, the APA defines dread as “intense fear or fearful anticipation,” and defines motivation as “the impetus that gives purpose or direction to behavior and operates in humans at a conscious or unconscious level.”

Regarding the proverbial Sword of Damocles (i.e., awareness of our unavoidable demise), we can fear and dread it, or we can use it to motivate us. Personally, the latter is preferable. In conclusion, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 368):

To do good, to be good. Because the sword is dangling, and there’s nothing else to be concerned with. Would you rather it catch you in the middle of some shameful, selfish act? Would you rather it catch you waiting to be good in the future?

I’ve never been, am not now, nor will ever be “good.” I’m merely a fallible human being who tries to do good, well, and so forth. Moreover, as a flawed individual, I often fall short of this aim. Nevertheless, I don’t lose sight of the reminder regarding a certain end to my existence.

Therefore, I use the Sword of Damocles to remember that at any moment, I could—and eventually will—die. Until that time, I’m motivated to continue trying to achieve success with my interests and goals. Now, I invite you to contemplate your death, as well as your life.

In short, the hair holding back the sword—separating death from life—is thin. Death is certainly in your future! Knowing this, what will you do? Fear and dread what is one of the few guarantees you have in this lifetime, or use this information to self-motivate? Choose wisely.

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

Photo credit, artist: Richard Westall, fair use

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