Introductory Considerations

            It can be said that every proceeding concept of an ideal man has fallen short of grasping the whole meaning of the idea.  There are two obvious reasons why it is hard to convey what exactly an ideal man is: first the concept is very broad, and second because the concept may lose traction when crossing cultural lines.  This incarnation of the concept will probably be no exception.  Universal ideas of what an archetypical man is may be studied, but still fall short when matched with certain cultures that may not accept some or most of the concept.  The goal here is to simply lay ground to a universally specific concept, so any aspiring gentleman may look to undertake the project himself by aspiring to become ideal, no matter his background of individual perspective.

            Before considering the individual characteristics an ideal man may possess, knowing the importance of such study must first lay the groundwork.  Knowing the reasons why will go a long way in providing motivation for men who undertake this life project.  The importance of such study rests in not the individual man, but on the collective body of humanity.  Society and the world can always use one more righteous inhabitant.  A goal that is generally universal to every person is to live in happiness.  To ensure the collective happiness of people, individuals must work for the collective good.  This task begins with men, who have always been tasked with protective and provisionary duties.

            What makes this study even more important is the age in which men now find themselves.  Public principles of equality and freedom are frequently addressed but are still never completely met in American society.  One could argue the reasons, but the issues that have once plagued past times continue to plague this one.  To deny this would be to remain blind.  Collective change is needed, and it starts with the individual.

(Before proceeding further, let it be known that these writings address men, are written by a man, who studies both humanity and nature.  But women may find some useful information the same way a man might.  Let it be known that these writings are in no way sexist – despite being gender specific.  The writing is so in response to the lack of manly qualities demonstrated by modern time and seeks to address the issues by targeting a direct audience.)

Perspective

The most powerful tool a man may wield is his brain and its capacity to reason.  The capacity to reason is quite obviously a major factor in the rise of humanity as a dominant species.  Reason enables man to rise above his primitive past, and elevates him to better circumstances.  That is the way in which society has progressed, and that is how its growth must come.  Before considering what it takes to become ideal, one must first adopt the added perspective that disciplined reasoning is the key to personal growth.  In short, the process of becoming a version of the ideal man cannot adequately begin or finish if the right perspective qualities are not adopted. 

One need not change perspective in order to adopt this idea.  Since individuals are limited in their perceptions of the world to only their own unique perspective, the proper thing to do is to keep the individual perspective while adding to it with a new idea.  This new idea should be the method of disciplined reasoning.  Always consider new data, but never commit to its adoption into individual perspective without running it through reason.  Allow reason to be the filter in which all things are to be run through.  Keeping an open mind, while remaining skeptical, provides an added safeguard against defective thoughts.  Only the individuals may decide what is added to their own unique perspective. 

 Corruptibility

While adding reasoned additions to an individual perspective, it’s important to consider corruption.  Corruption of the mind is why reason must be in place to filter.  Corruption happens when the individual stops considering his own thoughts but blindly adopts the ideas of others.  It is perhaps easiest to think of this as similar to how a good court judge considers his judgments without being influenced by anything but written law.  An ideal man would never allow his mind to become corrupted by someone else.  An ideal man would not even corrupt himself with too much or too hard of thought.

The reasoning against corruption of the mind is quite simple, to guard against biased or prejudicial ideas.  There is arguably no larger threat to reasoned thinking than a bias.  Harboring a biased belief suggests emotions (not reason) are at the helm of thought.  Prejudicial beliefs are no different, because leaning to any particular side of an argument by anything other than logic is detrimental to mental purity.  One may keep individual perspective in-check, but its impossible to do so for others who may not be as disciplined.  One must constantly be aware of outside influences on individual position. 

Conclusion

            After understanding these first two considerations, its necessary to close with a few notable points.  First, in order for a man to become a better version of himself, he must truly want to be better.  Better, as in the sense of more righteous, more correct in moral and ethical behavior.  Also, a man need not change his personality (unless his personality is geared towards the destructive ends of others) but merely mend his habits.  This mending need not be sterile of pleasure.  The process towards becoming more like an ideal man should provide satisfaction in knowing such improvement makes a man more desirable to the world.  Others should immediately appreciate the efforts of becoming a more valuable person to society.  However, it’s most important to remember that the pursuit of becoming more ideal a man should be motivated by nothing other than the need to do well to others.  Let that need fuel the progress.