Mind Over Matter

Consider the last 24 hours. Who occupied the most space in your mind? Was it your spouse, a child, a parent, or perhaps your boss or closest friend? The reality, often surprising, is that the overwhelming majority of your thoughts were likely directed inward, toward yourself. This self-focus, while seemingly counterintuitive, holds profound explanatory power. We naturally dedicate more mental energy to ourselves because we are inherently concerned with our own well-being, our actions, our potential, and how we are perceived by others. As the philosopher Montaigne famously stated, "I study myself more than any other subject. That is my metaphysics, that is my physics." Our deep-seated reflection stems from an intrinsic obsession with mattering.

This fundamental drive animates "The Mattering Instinct," a compelling exploration by the distinguished Princeton philosopher Rebecca Newberger Goldstein. Her work endeavors to map the complexities of the human mind and identify coherent patterns within our often contradictory behaviors. Goldstein posits that "Every living thing… is organically driven by a mandate that ensures it matters to itself — which is to say that it prioritizes its own surviving and thriving." Through a sweeping journey that traverses neuroscience, philosophy, physics, evolutionary biology, and intellectual history, Goldstein expertly guides her readers through a fascinating landscape of discovery.

This innate longing, the "mattering instinct" that gives the book its title, fuels both our internal thoughts and our external actions. Goldstein argues that "We long to demonstrate that the reason we subjectively feel that we matter is that we objectively do." She attributes a vast spectrum of human endeavors and constructs to this commanding instinct, from religion, art, and science to politics and the intricate social distinctions that define our communities. Conversely, she also acknowledges how this drive can manifest in darker, more destructive ways that threaten our well-being.

Defining "Mattering"

Goldstein begins by establishing her core definition: "To matter is to be deserving of attention." When we matter to ourselves, we earn our own self-regard. The same principle applies to mattering to others. The very word "matter" finds its roots in the Latin word "mater," meaning mother, and the verb at the heart of Goldstein's analysis naturally extends from this noun, which signifies "the very stuff of things," or its essence—the fundamental basis of existence.

The Race Against Entropy

However, as Goldstein points out, this "stuff" is inherently transient, beginning to decompose almost as soon as it is created. She posits that it is this race against entropy—the inexorable march described by the second law of thermodynamics—that compels us to imbue our lives with meaning and purpose. The physicist Ludwig Boltzmann, whose name is synonymous with the constant in the entropy equation, himself maintained that the "foundations of human knowledge" only achieve their esteemed status when recognized by others. Goldstein notes Boltzmann's tragic suicide, stemming from "despair that the philosophy of his day would continue to block his science from becoming recognized."

Four Archetypes of Mattering

Goldstein's most insightful and engaging contribution is her categorization of four distinct archetypes of "mattering." These archetypes offer a framework for understanding the diverse ways individuals seek to establish their significance:

• Socializers: These individuals aim to please, seeking validation through their connections. They may find their sense of mattering by "mattering to the same people who satisfy their need for connectedness," such as family and close friends. Alternatively, they might seek the attention of charismatic figures or a devoted public.

• Heroic Strivers: This group engages in pursuits that demand exceptional effort and dedication. Their endeavors not only test individual capabilities, requiring discipline and perseverance, but are also "devoted to something that they believe supremely matters," whether it be truth, beauty, science, morality, or athletic excellence. Goldstein cites figures like Aristotle, who believed in living in accordance with our highest potential, and Ludwig Wittgenstein, who found joy in his unique intellectual life. The legendary athlete Michael Jordan and ethical pioneers like Baba Amte, an Indian social worker who dedicated his life to caring for lepers, also exemplify this archetype.

• Transcenders: These individuals orient their lives around a divine presence, which they believe "ground[s] the being of all that is true in both the physical and moral spheres." Goldstein, an avowed atheist who was raised in an Orthodox Jewish household, expresses a compassionate understanding for those who seek the divine. She challenges the prevailing notion that such individuals are inherently less intelligent or open-minded than their secular counterparts, recognizing the enduring significance of tradition and the fact that "the bulk of humankind have been transcenders, with societies organized around religious institutions" throughout much of history.

• Competitors: For this group, "mattering is regarded as a zero-sum game," whether on an individual or collective level. Some competitors are driven by a desire to win, to dominate, and to possess, as exemplified by the aggressive pronouncements of Mike Tyson or the intense competitive spirit of Bobby Fischer. Others focus on more personal growth, such as Kobe Bryant's "mamba mentality" of continuous self-improvement. Still others find their sense of mattering in asserting superiority over different ethnic, religious, or racial groups.

The Perils of Competitive Mattering

The generally positive force of mattering can, unfortunately, lead to destructive outcomes. Goldstein recounts the compelling story of Frank Meeink, a former neo-Nazi who escaped a difficult upbringing to become deeply entrenched in white supremacist ideology. Meeink found a sense of belonging and purpose within these groups, who "talked to me like they cared about what I thought and what I could become," and told him he had a destiny. However, through unexpected encounters and a profound shift in perspective, Meeink eventually rejected his allegiance to competitive group mattering. He transitioned to a path of heroic striving, working to foster reconciliation between former skinheads and Holocaust survivors.

A Nuanced Perspective

Goldstein's book is not without its complexities. It straddles the line between a philosophical treatise and self-help, occasionally venturing into accessible, almost pop-psychology territory. Furthermore, the four archetypes, while theoretically useful, may not always represent distinct and separate categories in practice. As the author notes, individuals often embody elements of all four archetypes on any given day, or even within the same hour, striving to please loved ones, create lasting work, seek spiritual connection, and compete effectively.

Despite this overlap, the archetypes serve a crucial function by illustrating different, distinct models of how humans seek to matter. The acclaimed novelist Don DeLillo aptly observed, "longing on a large scale is what makes history." In her profound and valuable work, Goldstein effectively demonstrates how our collective and individual longing to matter has shaped, and continues to reshape, the course of human history.

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