The Great Man Theory of History and Its Personal Relevance

Key Points

• Core Principle: The Great Man Theory, proposed by Thomas Carlyle, argues that history is primarily shaped by the will and actions of heroic, elite figures, not by the masses or social conditions.
• Heroic Influence: Great historical figures like Napoleon, Caesar, and Alexander the Great were themselves inspired and influenced by predecessors, creating a chain of imitation and aspiration.
• Carlyle's Arguments:
  • History is the "biography of great men," who lead through inherent personal attributes and perceived divine inspiration.
  • The world's progress hinges on the ideas and decisions of these elite individuals.
• Assumptions of the Theory:
  • Born, Not Made: Great leaders are inherently born with the traits necessary to rise to occasions and lead by instinct, emphasizing nature over nurture.
  • Circumstance-Dependent: Heroes emerge when unique circumstances demand their leadership, acting as the decisive factor in solving societal problems.
• Unquantifiable Genius: Heroes possess a unique creative genius that cannot be replicated by sheer numbers or common individuals (e.g., Julius Caesar's value over Roman legions; Shakespeare's genius over minor poets).
• Flawed but Exemplary: Heroes are not perfect due to worldly contradictions, yet their actions and innovations (e.g., Alexander's warfare, Napoleon's artillery tactics) serve as patterns for others to imitate, thus moving history forward.
• Categories of Heroes: Carlyle identified six types: Divine (Odin), Prophet (Muhammad), Poet (Shakespeare), Priest (Martin Luther), Man of Letters (Rousseau), and King (Napoleon).
• Personal Application: The choice of one's heroes is the "single most important factor in who you will become." Studying heroes helps develop courage, vision, and self-insight, making an individual "a little more heroic."
• Historical Precedents for Hero Study:
  • Plutarch's "Parallel Lives" (2nd century): Examined great figures to allow readers to emulate virtues and avoid vices.
  • Suetonius's "The 12 Caesars": Similar examination of Roman emperors.
  • Machiavelli's "The Prince": Emphasized that rulers should study great leaders from history to imitate their successes and avoid their failures for practical, real-world application.
• Contrast with Social History:
  • Carlyle's "top-down" view contrasts with the contemporary "history from below" or social history, which focuses on common people and social conditions.
  • Herbert Spencer's Critique: Argued heroes are products of their social environment ("Before the great man can remake his society, his society must make him").
  • Social history often downplays individual accomplishments, viewing leaders as mere figureheads or even oppressors who reached the top through cunning, rather than inherent worth. This perspective is described as "depressing" as it offers no one to aspire to.

Important Details

• Chain of Inspiration: Napoleon aimed to be Caesar; Caesar idolized Alexander; Alexander imagined himself as Achilles.
• Carlyle's Identity: 19th-century Scottish essayist, historian, and philosopher.
• Carlyle's Seminal Work: "On Heroes, Hero Worship, and the Heroic in History" (published from 1840 lectures).
• Carlyle's Quote: "Universal history, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the history of the great men who have worked here."
• Aristotle's Link: Carlyle's hero is likened to Aristotle's "magnanimous" or "great-souled man," a person of active virtue.
• Spencer's Identity: English philosopher, early critic of Carlyle.
• Spencer's Quote: "Before the great man can remake his society, his society must make him."
• Example of Social History: Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States."
• Machiavelli's Advice: A ruler should "take as model a leader who's been much praised and admired and keep his example and achievements in mind at all times."
• Carlyle's Concluding Remark: "We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a great man, without gaining something by him."

Conclusions

• The Power of Choice: The selection of one's heroes is a fundamentally important decision that significantly influences personal development and who one ultimately becomes.
• Selective Emulation: It is recommended to look to great historical figures not for blanket emulation or because they are inherently perfect, but to identify and learn from their "impactful qualities" and "technical skill sets."
• Ethical Application: One should strive to learn the skills (e.g., oratory, logistical genius) demonstrated by great individuals, but use them for positive purposes and to "lift up others," rather than emulating questionable motives or ends.
• Personal Growth: Engaging with the Great Man Theory provides examples to strive for, offering insights into human nature and mastery over crafts, ultimately helping individuals aspire to a higher level.