The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self* about?

*The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self* by Carl Trueman explores how Western culture redefined identity through philosophical shifts, tracing the evolution of expressive individualism from Rousseau to today’s LGBTQ+ rights movement. It argues that the modern self prioritizes inward feelings over external realities, leading to radical changes in sexuality, gender, and human rights.

Q: What is the difference between this book and *Strange New World*?

*Strange New World* is a condensed, more accessible version of *The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self*. Both address the same themes, but the latter includes deeper historical analysis, while the former targets general audiences.

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self

Carl Trueman

4.57 (5952 Reviews)

Philosophy

History

Society

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How did "I feel like a woman trapped in a man's body" become a culturally accepted statement? Trueman's masterful analysis traces our modern identity crisis through philosophical giants, revealing how expressive individualism revolutionized Western culture - a must-read for anyone navigating today's complex social landscape.

What is The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self about?

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman explores how Western culture redefined identity through philosophical shifts, tracing the evolution of expressive individualism from Rousseau to today’s LGBTQ+ rights movement. It argues that the modern self prioritizes inward feelings over external realities, leading to radical changes in sexuality, gender, and human rights.

Who should read The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self?

This book is essential for pastors, scholars, and anyone seeking to understand today’s cultural conflicts over identity and sexuality. Trueman’s historical analysis appeals to readers interested in philosophy, theology, or sociology, offering tools to engage contemporary debates with nuance.

Is The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self worth reading?

Yes. Praised as “timely” and “astute,” the book provides a rigorously researched framework for understanding rapid societal changes. Its blend of intellectual history and cultural criticism makes it a vital resource for navigating debates on gender, religion, and free speech.

What is “expressive individualism” in The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self?

Expressive individualism is the idea that true identity stems from internal feelings rather than external roles (e.g., family, religion). Trueman shows how this concept, rooted in Romanticism and psychoanalysis, fuels modern demands for self-expression, such as gender transitions.

How does Trueman explain the sexual revolution in the book?

Trueman links the sexual revolution to a broader redefinition of the self, where sexual autonomy became a hallmark of authenticity. He traces this shift through Marxist critiques of traditional institutions and Freudian emphasis on psychological desires.

What philosophical thinkers influenced Trueman’s analysis?

Trueman builds on Philip Rieff’s “triumph of the therapeutic,” Charles Taylor’s “social imaginary,” and Alasdair MacIntyre’s critique of modernity. These frameworks help explain how identity became untethered from biological and communal norms.

How does The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self critique modern culture?

The book argues that modernity’s focus on self-creation leads to societal fragmentation, as institutions like family and religion lose authority. Trueman warns this creates a vacuum filled by state power and corporate interests.

What is the difference between this book and Strange New World?

Strange New World is a condensed, more accessible version of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. Both address the same themes, but the latter includes deeper historical analysis, while the former targets general audiences.

How does Trueman address criticisms of his work?

Trueman aims for rigorous fairness, avoiding polemics. Critics argue he oversimplifies LGBTQ+ advocacy or underestimates technology’s role, while some conservatives reject his focus on philosophy over biblical arguments.

What role does technology play in Trueman’s analysis?

Though not the primary focus, Trueman notes that social media accelerates expressive individualism by enabling curated online identities. This amplifies the demand for recognition of personal “truths”.

How does The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self relate to Trueman’s other works?

The book expands themes from Trueman’s earlier studies on Reformation theology (e.g., Luther and Owen) into modern cultural analysis. It mirrors his critique of moral relativism in The Creedal Imperative.

Why is Carl Trueman qualified to write this book?

Trueman holds a PhD in church history, has taught at Westminster Seminary and Grove City College, and is an Orthodox Presbyterian pastor. His expertise in Reformation theology grounds his analysis of modernity’s moral shifts.

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The Transformation of Selfhood: A Cultural Revolution

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Imagine your grandfather's reaction if someone told him they were "a woman trapped in a man's body." Just thirty years ago, such a statement would have seemed nonsensical. Today, questioning it marks you as ignorant or bigoted. This dramatic shift isn't merely about sexual politics - it represents a profound revolution in how we understand human identity itself. The sexual revolution sweeping Western society isn't simply about expanded freedoms; it's a complete reimagining of what it means to be human. What makes our era unique isn't the existence of sexual diversity, which has existed throughout history, but its normalization and celebration as valid expressions of authentic selfhood. This transformation reflects a deeper shift in how we conceptualize identity. Three crucial developments stand out: the prioritization of psychological inner life over physical reality, the affirmation of ordinary life over heroic or religious ideals, and the notion that nature provides an inner moral source. These changes have revolutionized how individuals understand themselves, moving from external social roles to internal psychological states as the primary source of identity.

Rousseau and the Birth of Psychological Man

The Romantics: Art as Liberation

Dismantling Human Nature: Nietzsche, Marx, and Darwin

Freud and the Sexualization of the Self

When Marx Met Freud: The New Left

The Triumph of the Therapeutic

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@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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The Transformation of Selfhood: A Cultural Revolution