Julius Evola Daily

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Day 7 — The Type of Man Required

"What I am about to say does not concern the ordinary man of our day. On the contrary, I have in mind the man who finds himself involved in today's world, even at its most problematic and paroxysmal points; yet he does not belong inwardly to such a world, nor will he give in to it. He feels himself, in essence, as belonging to a different race from that of the overwhelming majority of his contemporaries." — Julius Evola, Ride the Tiger

The modern world does not produce the higher type of man by default. In many ways it actively discourages him. Softness, distraction, constant stimulation, and the cult of equality all work against the formation of a differentiated individual. (The differentiated individual is Evola's term for the man who lives in the modern world but does not inwardly belong to it.)

What is required is a man who can stand at a certain distance from his age without becoming bitter or theatrical. He does not need the approval of the surrounding culture. He does not need to announce his superiority. He simply refuses to be leveled by it. This type is rare. It has always been rare.

The point of these readings is not to flatter the reader into believing he already is this man. The point is to make the standard clear so that he can measure himself against it. Most of what you have been taught about what a good man looks like will pull in the opposite direction. Recognizing that pull is part of the work.

The standard is demanding. It is also the only one that does not dissolve the moment the environment changes.

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