Steve Jobs and Philosophy

1. Jobs's "Reality Distortion Field" Transformed Beliefs

In his presence, reality is malleable. He can convince anyone of practically anything.

The power of persuasion. Steve Jobs possessed a unique ability to alter people's perceptions of reality, making them believe in the impossible. This "reality distortion field" wasn't just about lying; it was about inspiring a shared belief in a vision, even when that vision seemed unattainable.

• Like the Talosians in Star Trek, Jobs could create illusions, but unlike them, he often believed in his own illusions.
• This ability wasn't limited to employees; it also captivated audiences at his famous "Stevenotes," where he could make people cheer for software revisions.
• The effect was so powerful that it inspired books and even a Dilbert cartoon, highlighting the impact of his persuasive abilities.

Beyond deception. Jobs's reality distortion field wasn't always about deception; it was often about freeing people from their own limiting beliefs. He challenged the status quo and pushed people to achieve what they thought was impossible.

• He convinced people that tasks were not too difficult, that jobs would not take too long, and that products would be life-transforming.
• This ability to change beliefs led to the creation of groundbreaking products and the transformation of entire industries.
• In some ways, Jobs was not creating illusions, but rather freeing people from their own illusions.

The ethics of distortion. While Jobs's ability to distort reality was powerful, it raises questions about the ethics of such influence. However, unlike the Talosians, Jobs often believed in the illusions he created, and he used his power to inspire people to achieve great things.

• The Talosians created illusions for self-serving purposes, while Jobs's distortions often led to positive outcomes.
• Jobs's ability to change beliefs was necessary to get people to "think different" and achieve the impossible.
• Ultimately, Jobs's reality distortion field was a tool for transformation, not just deception.

2. Counter-Cultural Capitalism: A Paradoxical Success

His father was not a cold profit-seeking businessman but was motivated by a love of what he did and a pride in the products he was making.

Challenging the stereotype. Steve Jobs defied the stereotype of the greedy capitalist, driven by a love for his work and a desire to create exceptional products. He was a counter-cultural figure who embraced individualism and innovation, not just profit maximization.

• Jobs could have retired a multi-millionaire at age thirty, but he continued to strive for excellence in Apple products.
• His son, Reed, emphasized that his father was motivated by passion and pride, not just financial gain.
• This challenges the popular view of business as inherently exploitative and profit-driven.

The entrepreneur's spirit. True capitalism, in the sense of free enterprise, is driven by the creative individualism of entrepreneurs who are not afraid to stand outside the mainstream. They see opportunities where others see only limitations.

• Entrepreneurs are not focused on maximizing profit or crushing others, but on pursuing their own vision.
• They are not driven by greed, but by a desire to create and innovate.
• This entrepreneurial spirit is what allows for progress and the creation of new value.

Counter-cultural ways. There are different ways to be counter-cultural: existential, emotional, and cognitive. Jobs embodied the cognitive counter-culture, marked by independence of mind, reason, integrity, and courage.

• Existential counter-culture rejects the world and its rules, while emotional counter-culture emphasizes passionate self-expression.
• Cognitive counter-culture, which Jobs embodied, is about choosing your own values and using reason to reach autonomously held beliefs.
• This form of counter-culture is not suspicious of technology or science, but rather embraces them as tools for liberation.

3. The Anti-Social Creator: Virtues Beyond the Norm

You did the impossible, because you didn’t realize it was impossible.

Beyond traditional virtues. Steve Jobs was not a virtuous man in the traditional sense of the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, and courage. He was often imprudent, unjust, intemperate, and his courage was often brash.

• He made bad decisions, appropriated ideas, and was known for his cruel and condescending behavior.
• Yet, his products changed the world for the better, raising questions about what we mean by virtue in visionary leaders.
• The four cardinal virtues are a good guide for the ordinary citizen, but they may be deadly for the entrepreneur.

The entrepreneurial virtues. The entrepreneur requires a different set of virtues: independence of mind, vision, and audacity. These traits enable them to disrupt routines, shake up sensibilities, and introduce new ideas.

• Independence of mind allows them to rely on their own judgment over the thoughts and feelings of others.
• Vision enables them to see what the future can be and to communicate that vision to others.
• Audacity allows them to press forward with a boldness that defies common social norms.

The antisocial creator. The entrepreneur is often an antisocial creator, an individual who contributes something just because he won't fit in. They reject society's norms and go out on their own, bringing back a boon to society.

• They are not bound by the rules others follow, and they are often too big in their own minds to be bound by petty social mores.
• This antisocial attitude, while irritating and obnoxious, is often necessary to transform the world for the better.
• The four cardinal virtues are a good guide for the ordinary citizen, but for the entrepreneur, they are deadly.

4. Pixar's Personhood Lessons for Millennials

Pixar movies teach us how to recognize and accept personhood wherever we may find it, particularly among non-humans.

Personhood defined. Personhood is not simply about being human; it's about possessing cognitive abilities and moral agency. It's the basis for granting rights and moral standing.

• The concept of personhood is complex and difficult to define, with no universal agreement on its criteria.
• We often rely on intuitive identification of personhood based on observed behaviors, rather than a strict checklist.
• This intuitive sense of personhood is what Pixar movies have tapped into.

Pixar's non-human heroes. Pixar movies often feature non-human characters as protagonists, challenging our assumptions about who or what can be a person.

• Unlike Disney, Pixar rarely has humans as the sole intelligent entities in their movies.
• Pixar films often portray non-humans as sentient, sapient, intelligent, and moral beings.
• This consistent portrayal of non-human personhood has influenced a generation of viewers.

The Human as Partner. Pixar movies often feature a "Human as Partner" narrative, where a non-human character befriends a human who is also an outsider.

• These stories emphasize that non-human intelligence will not be welcomed with open arms by either humans or non-humans.
• The path to rights and respect requires acts of exemplary personhood and humaneness by those who break ranks with their kind.
• These stories end with a recognition of personhood in the non-human and a reward for those who accepted them.

5. Entrepreneurship: Cultivating the Innovator's Mind

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.

Beyond formal schooling. The American "secret ingredient" for innovation is not in the schools, but in the culture outside of school. American culture provides many informal learning opportunities, such as music lessons, museum trips, and sports leagues.

• Formal schooling often wastes students' time and misses the opportunity to prepare them for entrepreneurial living.
• The entrepreneurial process begins with an informed and creative idea for a new product.
• Entrepreneurs are driven by a desire to do great work and to love what they do.

The entrepreneurial traits. Entrepreneurship requires a unique set of traits, including creativity, ambition, initiative, courage, perseverance, and productivity.

• Entrepreneurs are committed to cognitive achievement, intellectual playfulness, research, experimentation, analysis, and judgment.
• They are self-starters who commit to bringing their ideas into existence and are willing to take calculated risks.
• They persevere through obstacles and are willing to adjust based on real-world feedback.

Cultivating entrepreneurship. Schools can cultivate entrepreneurship by providing opportunities for creative exploration, risk-taking, and independent thinking.

• They can introduce exercises that embody risk and help children learn to manage it.
• They can explore the Montessori approach to education, which emphasizes self-directed learning.
• They can learn from supplemental programs that explicitly tie education to entrepreneurship, such as NFTE and Junior Achievement.

6. The Visionary Entrepreneur: Beyond Profit to Purpose

People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.

The entrepreneur's drive. Entrepreneurs are driven by a vision to create something new and valuable, not just by the pursuit of profit. They are independent souls who undertake risk to will their thoughts into actions.

• They are often seen as egoists, but their focus on their own vision is what allows them to create value for others.
• They are not afraid to stand outside the mainstream and pursue their own path.
• Their drive to build a better mousetrap ultimately benefits society by providing greater variety and value.

Creative destruction. Entrepreneurs are agents of "creative destruction," introducing innovations that make existing technologies obsolete. This process is essential for progress, but it is often resisted by those who are comfortable with the status quo.

• The automobile, for example, disrupted the horse and carriage industry, but it also brought about new possibilities and opportunities.
• Entrepreneurs are willing to take risks and challenge the status quo, even when it means disrupting existing industries.
• This creative destruction is the fundamental driving force of capitalist progress.

The visionary's intuition. Steve Jobs believed that he knew what was best for the consumer, even better than the consumer themselves. He relied on his intuition and his own vision, rather than market research.

• He was not merely trying to please the customer, but to create products that would transform their lives.
• He had a knack for imagining himself into the role of a potential product user, allowing him to unleash new ideas.
• His approach was not about giving people what they wanted, but about showing them what they didn't know they needed.

7. Innovation vs. Invention: Jobs's Unique Contribution

It’s more fun to be a pirate than to join the navy.

Beyond invention. Steve Jobs was not primarily an inventor; he was a master of innovation. He took existing technologies and transformed them into products that were both useful and desirable.

• He did not invent the personal computer, the graphical user interface, the mp3 player, or the smartphone, but he made them accessible and user-friendly.
• His genius lay in his ability to see the potential for socially objective value in existing technologies.
• He was able to transform philosophically objective value into socially objective value.

The epistemology of entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial process involves two steps: identifying philosophically objective value and creating socially objective value.

• Philosophically objective value is the value of a product or service in the abstract, while socially objective value is the value it has for individuals in the context of their own lives.
• Entrepreneurs must be able to see both the potential of a technology and its value to potential customers.
• This process requires a combination of creativity, judgment, and marketing skills.

The power of demonstration. Jobs was able to create market value by demonstrating the socially objective value of his products. He didn't trick people into buying his products; he showed them how they could improve their lives.

• He understood the importance of ease-of-use and intuitive design, making technology accessible to the masses.
• His marketing skills were not about deception, but about communicating the value of his products.
• His success was due to his ability to transform existing technologies into products that people truly wanted and needed.

8. Market Success: A Measure of Value, Not Just Sales

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

Market success as a standard. Market success is not just about sales; it's a measure of a product's quality and utility. Products that sell well are those that offer a large number of buyers a value.

• Steve Jobs's products were not only well-designed and functional, but they also generated substantial profits.
• His success in the market was a way of checking that he had succeeded in making products that were well-fitted to their use.
• Quality alone does not guarantee market success; cost, convenience, and utility are also essential.

The individual in the market. A market is a social institution where individuals engage in voluntary trade to mutual benefit. Success in the market arises from the revealed preference of the customers.

• Behind each sale is a real person who decided that the product was worth its price.
• The market offers the final affirmation of a product, showing that people find it useful and attractive.
• The market is not alienating, but rather a way for individuals to connect with the achievements of others.

Beyond market research. Jobs was renowned for not doing market research. He believed that customers don't know what they want until they've been shown it.

• He relied on his own judgment and his ability to see the potential of new technologies.
• He understood that truly new ideas are rare and require radical marketing and precise market positioning.
• He was able to create products that people didn't know they needed, but then couldn't live without.

9. Jobs's Complex Relationship with Charity

I think you still have to think differently to buy an Apple computer.

The absence of traditional charity. Unlike many of his fellow billionaires, Steve Jobs was not known for his charitable giving. He did not sign the Giving Pledge and Apple abandoned efforts at charity in 1997.

• This has led some to question his moral character and to wonder if his posthumous accolades were misplaced.
• However, Jobs did participate in the "Product RED" program and was involved in a joint effort to build a new hospital.
• His approach to philanthropy was unconventional, and he believed he could do more good by focusing on innovation.

Ethical frameworks. Different ethical frameworks offer different perspectives on the morality of charity. Utilitarianism focuses on outcomes, duty-based ethics focuses on motivation, and virtue-based ethics focuses on character.

• Utilitarians like Peter Singer argue that charity is a moral obligation, while others see it as a supererogatory act.
• Kantians focus on the motivation behind charitable acts, while virtue ethicists focus on the character of the giver.
• These different frameworks lead to different conclusions about the morality of Jobs's actions.

The entrepreneur's contribution. Jobs believed that he could do more good by creating innovative products than by giving money to charity. He saw his work as a way of improving the lives of millions of people.

• He argued that his products were more effective at reforming education than philanthropy.
• He believed that entrepreneurs can do the most for society by focusing on creating the greatest products for the most people.
• His approach to philanthropy was unconventional, but it was consistent with his focus on innovation and creativity.

10. Jobs's Buddhist-Inspired Path to Authenticity

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.

Eastern spirituality's influence. Steve Jobs had a long-standing interest in Eastern spirituality, particularly Zen Buddhism. This interest influenced his aesthetic style, his approach to product design, and his overall philosophy of life.

• He was drawn to the simplicity and minimalism of Buddhist art and design.
• He saw meditation as a way to clear the mind of distractions and to focus on the present moment.
• His interest in Buddhism was not just a passing fad, but a deep and enduring influence on his life.

Simplicity and user experience. Jobs's aesthetic style was minimalistic and simple, reflecting his Buddhist-inspired focus on letting go of attachments. He strove to remove all unnecessary features and elements from his products.

• He wanted users to feel naturally connected to his products, without having to think about what they were doing.
• He believed that simple, intuitive interfaces allowed users to be more present and engaged with their tasks.
• His focus on the user experience was a direct result of his interest in Buddhist mindfulness.

Authenticity and self-reliance. Jobs was a fiercely independent individual who strove to stay true to his vision, even at great personal and professional cost. He valued individuality and self-reliance above all else.

• He was not afraid to challenge the status quo and to go against the grain.
• He believed that the path to truth and enlightenment was unique to each individual.
• His focus on authenticity and self-reliance was deeply connected to his Buddhist beliefs.

11. "Think Different": A Double-Edged Sword

Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking.

The power of independent thought. Steve Jobs was a champion of independent thinking, the ability to form one's own judgments and to live by the work of one's own mind. He encouraged people to challenge dogma and to follow their own inner voice.

• He demonstrated intellectual independence throughout his life, questioning authority and pursuing his own vision.
• He believed that great products come from melding technology with the humanities, not from following the crowd.
• He urged people to have the courage to follow their heart and intuition.

Genuine vs. pseudo-independence. There is a difference between genuine independence, which is based on a respect for the facts of reality, and pseudo-independence, which is based on a disregard for those facts.

• The genuinely independent person seeks to grasp the facts of reality first-hand, while the pseudo-independent person seeks to escape reality.
• Jobs, while often genuinely independent, sometimes displayed pseudo-independence, such as his refusal to bathe and his initial response to his cancer diagnosis.
• The genuinely independent person thinks differently because his different thoughts are in accordance with the facts of reality.

The fallacy of false integration. The "Think Different" commercial packages together genuine independence and pseudo-independence, treating two substantially different character traits as though they constituted a single type of human action.

• This packaging undermines our ability to accurately identify and evaluate Jobs's character.
• It leads us to believe that Jobs's negative traits were necessary for his positive traits, and vice versa.
• To do Jobs justice, we must recognize that genuine independence and pseudo-independence are distinct character traits.

12. The Moral Perfectionist: A Life of Constant Becoming

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

Beyond technical perfectionism. Steve Jobs was not only a technical perfectionist, but also a moral perfectionist, constantly striving to improve himself and his creations. Moral perfectionism is about what's good for humans, not as defined by external commands, but by what actions lead to flourishing lives.

• It's not about achieving a static state of perfection, but about constantly striving, evaluating, and becoming.
• It's about pursuing a life of meaning and purpose, not just material success.
• It's about creating a life that is both good and beautiful.

Individualized flourishing. Human flourishing is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's about finding your own unique path to a good life, based on your own talents, interests, and personality.

• What is good for one person may not be good for another, even in similar situations.
• Ethics is personal, concerned with what distinct individuals should do in specific situations.
• Jobs understood that living a flourishing life does not come from following impersonal commands.

The role of reason. Practical wisdom, the synthesis of all the characteristics that make up a person's nexus, is essential for pursuing human flourishing. It involves the proper use of reason to order goods and values in an individualized way.

• Jobs saw the computer as "the bicycle of the mind," a tool that could amplify human potential.
• He understood that the use of reason is not automatic, but requires effort and dedication.
• He believed that the best products come from a combination of technology and the humanities.

Last updated: January 31, 2025