What Are the Masculine Virtues?
The novelist and Iraq War veteran Phil Klay offers an alternative to Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth’s cartoonish view of manhood.
In the latest episode of The Permanent Questions, David Brooks engages in a conversation with Phil Klay, a Marine Corps veteran and National Book Award-winning author. Klay discusses the importance of understanding the current crisis faced by young American men, who are increasingly facing depression and high suicide rates. He argues that President Trump's vision of masculine leadership is detrimental to both the military and young men, as it promotes a culture of aggression and denigration of established rules.
Klay emphasizes that warfare carries inherent moral implications and cannot be divorced from its ethical nature. He advocates for a different perspective on masculinity, suggesting that love should be considered the greatest masculine virtue. Throughout history, various social ideals have shaped the concept of manhood, from ancient Greece's rageful warriors to the peaceful compassion of Jesus and St. Francis.
Klay highlights the importance of understanding these diverse ideals in order to foster a healthier understanding of masculinity in today's society.
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