Rutger Bregman - “Moral Ambition” | The Daily Show

Summary

In this thought-provoking conversation, Rutger Bregman discusses the concept of 'moral ambition,' blending the idealism of activism with the ambition of entrepreneurship. He critiques the current state of society, emphasizing the importance of doing more than just being aware of issues—true change requires action. Bregman challenges individuals, particularly the educated elite, to use their talents and privilege to drive significant societal change, citing historical movements like abolitionism. Through his initiative, the School for Moral Ambition, he encourages people to quit traditional jobs and join efforts focused on moral causes, like fighting corporate greed and environmental destruction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Moral ambition is the combination of activist idealism and entrepreneurial ambition, where individuals devote their careers to making the world a better place, following in the footsteps of past moral pioneers like abolitionists and civil rights campaigners.
• 😀 The story of Matthieu Ricard, the happiest man alive due to 60,000 hours of meditation, highlights the limits of personal happiness if the world is in turmoil. Moral ambition calls for action beyond self-focus, addressing global problems.
• 😀 Awareness is often overrated; true change requires action and results. Shouting about issues without working toward solutions, like moral purity politics, is ineffective.
• 😀 Moral ambition often requires building coalitions of people with differing views, as demonstrated by historical movements like abolitionism and the Civil Rights Movement.
• 😀 People in essential jobs, like those discovered during the pandemic, play crucial roles in society. However, highly educated elites often end up in irrelevant or damaging positions, such as finance or consultancy, instead of working on societal issues.
• 😀 A large percentage (25%) of modern workers believe their jobs are socially meaningless, particularly in sectors like finance and corporate law, which are more focused on profit than social good.
• 😀 Systems are made of people, and the challenge lies in changing those people, not just criticizing the system. People on the political right have built movements over decades, showing that perseverance can drive change.
• 😀 Historical movements like British abolitionists and Progressive Era activists were often led by entrepreneurs who knew how to get things done. A similar entrepreneurial approach is needed today to drive social change.
• 😀 Modern movements for social justice can sometimes focus too much on small, individualistic changes (e.g., reducing plastic use), but true moral ambition requires thinking big and pushing for large-scale systemic changes.
• 😀 Moral ambition isn't just about pursuing personal happiness or quiet activism. It requires a willingness to challenge the status quo, use privilege and skills to fight for justice, and build a broad, diverse coalition to create lasting change.

Q & A

What is moral ambition as defined in the script?

Moral ambition is the combination of two elements: the idealism of an activist and the ambition of an entrepreneur. It involves wanting to make the world a better place, standing on the right side of history before it becomes fashionable, and dedicating one's life to this cause as a vocation, not a hobby.

What was the author's reaction to the story of the monk Matthieu Ricard?

The author was frustrated by the story of Matthieu Ricard, who meditated for 60,000 hours and was labeled the happiest man alive. The author felt that focusing solely on personal happiness, while the world faces significant issues, was a waste of time. He believed more action should be taken to address global problems.

How does the author contrast his previous book, *Humankind*, with his latest book?

In *Humankind*, the author aimed to restore faith in humanity, encouraging a positive, comforting message. However, in his latest book, he presents a more urgent and challenging perspective, urging readers to take more decisive actions to create change rather than just being content or relaxed.

What is the author's criticism of the current state of moral ambition in society?

The author criticizes the obsession with moral purity within the political left, arguing that while many people are passionate about social issues, they often lack practical solutions and political relevance. He believes that achieving change requires building coalitions and translating moral ideas into tangible actions and results.

How does the author suggest people engage in activism despite facing systemic obstacles?

The author believes that, while systemic problems exist, individuals still have the power to make a difference. He points to examples like the abolitionists and civil rights campaigners who succeeded by building broad coalitions, even with people who didn't agree with them on every issue.

What does the author say about the disconnect between essential workers and elites?

The author highlights a disconnect between essential workers, whose jobs are critical to society, and educated elites, whose work often doesn't contribute significantly to societal welfare. He refers to a study showing that 25% of workers find their jobs socially meaningless, pointing to a need for greater alignment between talent and socially impactful roles.

What role does the author believe education and wealth play in the moral responsibility of individuals?

The author argues that individuals with privilege, such as those with higher education or wealth, have a moral responsibility to use their talents and resources to make a positive impact on society. He criticizes the tendency for many educated individuals to work in industries that don't serve the greater good, such as finance and corporate law.

What is the 'School for Moral Ambition,' and what is its mission?

The 'School for Moral Ambition' is an organization co-founded by the author aimed at fostering moral ambition by recruiting talented individuals who want to work on solving major social issues. The school focuses on shifting talent from industries like finance and law to work on meaningful societal causes, offering a platform for those willing to make a change.

How does the author criticize corporate social responsibility initiatives like ESG investing?

The author criticizes ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing as a superficial attempt at corporate responsibility. He argues that it is a thin layer of moral action over a fundamentally corrupt system, and that more ambitious, systemic change is needed to truly address societal problems.

What is the author's view on individual efforts to create change, such as reducing personal carbon footprints?

While the author acknowledges the importance of individual actions, he believes that focusing solely on small-scale efforts, like reducing one's carbon footprint, is insufficient. He argues that moral ambition requires larger, more impactful actions that can drive systemic change, similar to the efforts of historical figures like Rosa Parks.