Big Difficult Questions

The Masculinity Crisis

The modern world is full of crises – political, environmental, economic, and even a so-called “crisis of masculinity”. But beneath all of them, philosopher Leo Rogers argues, lies a deeper problem: a global crisis of self-esteem. In today’s individualistic societies, people measure their worth by personal success. When everyone is told they can “be anything”, failure feels personal. Unlike in the rigid hierarchies of the past, where social roles were fixed, modern people compare themselves endlessly, imagining that anyone could become rich or famous – and blaming themselves when they don’t.

This constant competition for self-esteem creates widespread dissatisfaction. To feel good about ourselves, we must outperform others, yet there’s always someone doing better. Ordinary life can feel like failure, even when it’s comfortable and meaningful. This sense of inadequacy is intensified by inequality and social media, which make success and luxury seem within reach but never enough.

Rogers links this to the so-called masculinity crisis. Many men today feel powerless or alienated, not simply because of gender roles or feminism, but because society ties identity and value to achievement. When few people feel successful, frustration and anger follow. This same loss of esteem can be seen in struggling communities that have lost jobs, industries, and social roles that once gave people a sense of pride and purpose.

The solution, Rogers suggests, lies in widening access to self-esteem. Societies should value more than wealth and power—recognising care, creativity, and community involvement as meaningful achievements. Education should promote diverse standards of success and remind us how much luck shapes our lives. By appreciating different forms of contribution, we can begin to heal the quiet, universal crisis of self-worth that defines modern life.

The ‘masculinity crisis’ is actually a crisis of self-esteem | Psyche Ideas

There’s a modern belief that talent or effort can carry anyone to the top. It’s a myth that’s especially harmful to men

Psyche

1. Do you agree that modern society creates a “competition for self-esteem”? How does social media influence this?
2. Is it better to live in a world where people can “be anything” — even if that means feeling constant pressure to succeed?
3. How can we redefine success so that more people feel valued and fulfilled?
4. What can education or culture do to help people build healthy self-esteem without comparing themselves to others?

AI

Do you think the ultimate objective of big tech companies is to stop us from thinking, so that we are easier to control? Or is ChatGPT really there for our benefit.

The Experience Machine

Suppose there were an experience machine that would give you any experience you desired. Superduper neuropsychologists could stimulate your brain so that you would think and feel you were writing a great novel, or making a friend, or reading an interesting book. All the time you would be floating in a tank, with electrodes attached to your brain. Should you plug into this machine for life, preprogramming your life experiences?...Of course, while in the tank you won't know that you're there; you'll think that it's all actually happening...Would you plug in?"