Episode #167 - Jose Ortega - Revolt of the Masses
Jose Ortega - Revolt of the Masses
In this episode, the discussion builds on José Ortega y Gasset’s warning about the rise of the “mass man”—a psychological type marked by self-satisfaction, cultural disengagement, and a lack of historical awareness. Ortega argues that in modern democracies, the mass mentality, born into unprecedented freedom, often rejects the responsibility that comes with it, flattening out qualitative distinctions between perspectives, experiences, and expertise. This has led to a culture where all opinions are treated as equally valid, even when they lack depth or effort. Ortega traces this shift to the rise of hyper-democracy, mass culture, and a rejection of historical consciousness, which he sees as essential to understanding oneself and the human condition. He contrasts this with a self-imposed aristocracy—not of wealth or status, but of character and intellectual effort—defined by the pursuit of self-refinement, historical understanding, and moral obligation. For Ortega, preserving equality requires recognizing and honoring those who strive for excellence, rather than celebrating mediocrity.
Further Reading:
The Revolt of the Masses by José Ortega y Gasset (1930)
The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind by Gustave Le Bon (1895)
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium by Martin Gurri (2014)
See the full transcript here.
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