Find previous episodes of this series on personal development evolution on the website paradox.io:
During the Renaissance, in the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci or the writings of Erasmus, we see the reemergence of the idea that man can elevate himself through knowledge, art, and philosophy.
This is the era of the Renaissance Man.
Later, during the Age of Enlightenment, this idea takes a decisive turn: the individual no longer simply has the possibility, but the duty to fully cultivate their potential.
This is a revolutionary moment.
Rousseau, for example, advocates the idea that every human being is naturally good and that it is through education and critical reflection that they can free themselves from the chains of ignorance.
Individual responsibility becomes central: we are the creators of our own destiny.
But this is where the distortions begin.
For while this philosophy aimed to emancipate man, the modern personal development industry has exploited this vision to create an entirely different narrative.
An idea that, on the surface, seems full of common sense and motivating, right? I know dozens of people who have been helped by this message, myself included!
Yet, if we dig a little deeper, we see that this phrase completely distorts the original idea of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment man knew that education, reason, and effort were essential – but he did not say that everything depended solely on individual will.
The reality is more complex. Thinkers like Pierre Bourdieu have long explored how "capitals" (economic, social, cultural) affect life trajectories. A person born into a disadvantaged background may exhibit all the will in the world, but they will likely encounter structural obstacles that limit their opportunities.
I did write "limit." Let's remember that history is full of examples of people who have succeeded against all odds, despite circumstances that did not seem to destine them for success.
What the Enlightenment wanted to convey is a more subtle notion of responsibility: that of doing our best with what we have, while accepting the factors that we cannot control.
By continually ignoring these factors, modern personal development fuels a cycle of guilt, whereas instead of perpetually fighting against our weaknesses, we should accept that they are an integral part of what makes us human.
This is precisely what Aristotle, Seneca, and many others taught: it is not about avoiding challenges, but about traversing them, facing them, and adapting to them.
Ultimately, personal development is a product of its time.
A time that promotes the cult of immediacy, without taking into account the contextual factors that influence our life trajectory.
So naturally, the offer has adapted to reflect these demands... sometimes to the point of being caricatural in the promises it sells:
"Become rich in 30 days with this new method that requires no skills, no experience, and only 2 hours of your time each day."
"Shatter your blocks and create the abundance you deserve with ease."
"Develop unlimited confidence and eternal happiness in just 6 days."
Credible? No?
Yet, and this is the craziest part...
Why?
Because, even if our instinct tells us it's probably nonsense, we are programmed to believe it.
Our brain is naturally inclined to seek quick solutions and shortcuts, especially when faced with challenges that seem insurmountable.
When we are vulnerable, tired, disappointed, or going through a difficult period – such as a divorce, grief, or repeated professional failures – the activity of our prefrontal cortex (the part of our brain responsible for critical thinking) decreases.
In other words, in situations where we are emotional, we lose our ability to think rationally and exercise our critical thinking.
This is when we become malleable, when we lower our mental defenses, and when we are ready to accept promises that, under normal circumstances, seem ridiculous.
When we are caught in this emotional storm, we are willing to believe that the miracle solution is within reach.
The result?
We fall into a repetitive cycle of disappointment.
After applying these ineffective methods over and over again, we end up believing that the problem lies with us. Or that we are different.
But that's not the case.
It's simply the product of a system that exploits the weaknesses of our human mind, feeds on our moments of weakness, and instead of empowering us constructively, pushes us into a spiral of guilt.
By chasing after simplistic and instant solutions, we end up losing hope.
And that's how an industry that aimed to make people's lives better sometimes ends up causing despair and cultivating a sense of helplessness.
In the next episode, we'll talk about dreams, ambitions, successes... And you'll see that we're not at the end of our surprises.
To be continued.
