top of page
Search

Who Watches the Watchmen?

  • Writer: Deric Hollings
    Deric Hollings
  • Sep 8
  • 7 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, “How does your ruling reason manage itself? For in that is the key to everything. Whatever else remains, be it in the power of your choice or not, is but a corpse and smoke” (page 102).

 

In consideration of Aurelius’s quote, I argue that fallible human beings aren’t inherently rational (operating in accordance with both logic and reason). To illustrate this point, I’ll ask why you chose the color of vehicle you drive, why you love someone, or why you like or dislike beets.

 

You may think the answers to these questions are obvious, though they aren’t. Ultimately, once you likely stumble your way through clumsily constructed responses, you may eventually reply (respectively), “I just like it,” “I just do,” or, “They just taste good [or bad].”

 

The modus ponens form of logical syllogism (i.e., if p, then q; p; therefore, q) substantiates your reply. Yet, there’s no valid and reliable use of justification (i.e., reason) for why you chose the color of vehicle you drive, why you love someone, or why you like or dislike beets.

 

For context, validity is defined as the quality or state of being valid (well-grounded or justifiable): such as the quality of being well-grounded, sound, or correct. Ergo, your justification for why you function in the world as you do isn’t fundamentally well-grounded.

 

Likewise, reliability is defined as the quality or state of being reliable (suitable or fit to be relied on [i.e., dependable]). Accordingly, your proposed justification for why you function in the world as you do isn’t essentially dependable, as what you like or love is subject to change.

 

Given this perspective, it’s my interpretation that Aurelius asked how one’s ruling reason manages itself so that people could contemplate their own irrational worldviews. Expanding upon this matter, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 102):

 

The Roman satirist Juvenal is famous for this question: Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (Who watches the watchmen?) In a way, this is what Marcus is asking himself—and what you might ask yourself throughout the day. What influences the ruling reason that guides your life?

 

I invite you to think of a current matter about which you’re concerned. For the sake of discussion, I’ll share one of my own. Bear in mind that proper practice of Stoicism results in my understanding of how I have control of only myself, and very little influence otherwise.

 

Thinking a couple decades ahead, I suspect that many people in the United States (U.S.) will be jobless. Increasingly, I’ve heard of smart factories (highly automated and digitized manufacturing facilities which use connected devices, robots, and other non-human labor).

 

Similarly, I’m aware of auto delivery (a subscription service where products are automatically shipped to a customer on a pre-set schedule or on a per-order basis). Both smart factories and auto delivery will likely result in the loss of many thousands or millions of jobs in the U.S.

 

Who watches the watchmen within my mind when contemplating the potential devastation that modernization of the labor market will likely cause? I keep this question in mind, as not to self-disturb with irrationality. Concerning this approach, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 102):

 

This means an exploration of subjects like evolutionary biology, psychology, neurology, and even the subconscious. Because these deeper forces shape even the most disciplined, rational minds. You can be the most patient person in the world, but if science shows we make poor decisions on an empty stomach —what good is all that patience?

 

When providing services for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I use a holistic approach to care. For instance, I understand that if I think about the potential devastation of the labor market while not having adequate sleep, I’ll self-disturb.

 

This matter of rational living is something I also promote with clients. As such, self-care is a necessary component of proper mental health care. Advocating a similar approach to well-being, authors of The Daily Stoic conclude (page 102):

 

So don’t stop at Stoicism, but explore the forces that drive and make Stoicism possible. Learn what underpins this philosophy you’re studying, how the body and mind tick. Understand not only your ruling reason—the watchmen—but whoever and whatever rules that too.

 

The perspectives of both Aurelius and authors of The Daily Stoic inform my approach to helping myself and others regarding mental health care. Now, I invite you to consider who watches the watchmen within your own life.

 

Thus, I encourage you to take a look within when paying attention to concerning matters outside of yourself. Additionally, if you’d like to know more about how REBT may improve your level of functioning and quality of life, then I look forward to hearing from you.

 

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


ree

 

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

Hollings, D. (2024, August 25). Agreeing with irrationality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/agreeing-with-irrationality

Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern

Hollings, D. (2023, April 22). Control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/control

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

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

Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Fallible human being. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fallible-human-being

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. (2022, May 31). Holistic approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/holistic-approach-to-mental-health

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

Hollings, D. (2025, May 2). It’s outside of my control and influence. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/it-s-outside-of-my-control-and-influence

Hollings, D. (2025, March 4). Justification. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/justification

Hollings, D. (2025, January 14). Level of functioning and quality of life. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/level-of-functioning-and-quality-of-life

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, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health

Hollings, D. (2025, March 16). Modus ponens. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/modus-ponens

Hollings, D. (2025, August 2). My philosophy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/my-philosophy

Hollings, D. (2025, August 25). Power to alter your circumstances. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/power-to-alter-your-circumstances

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. (2024, May 15). Rational living. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-living

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, December 5). Reasoning. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reasoning

Hollings, D. (2024, January 20). Reliability vs. validity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reliability-vs-validity

Hollings, D. (2024, May 6). Self-care. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-care

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

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

Hollings, D. (2023, October 17). Syllogism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/syllogism

Hollings, D. (2023, August 6). The science. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-science

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. (2022, August 8). Was Freud right? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/was-freud-right

Hollings, D. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well

University of Dundee. (2019, September 16). Don’t make major decisions on an empty stomach, research suggests. Retrieved from https://www.dundee.ac.uk/stories/dont-make-major-decisions-empty-stomach-research-suggests

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Juvenal. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juvenal

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

Comments

© 2024 by Hollings Therapy, LLC 

bottom of page