Twenty-five hundred years ago, Thucydides would say that the three strongest motives for men were "fear, honor, and self-interest." Fear. Honor. Self-interest. All covered. Which is the truest of them for Thiel? Does it matter? Someone had begun to think seriously that something needed to be done and believed that he might be the person to do it.
In the book "Conspiracy" by Ryan Holiday, the focus is on Peter Thiel and his motivations behind his actions against Gawker. Thiel utilizes the historical perspective of Thucydides, who identified fear, honor, and self-interest as fundamental human drives. This framework serves to dissect the complexities of Thiel's character and the underlying reasons for his decisions.
It raises the question of which of these motives—fear, honor, or self-interest—dominates Thiel's motivations, and whether it truly matters in the grand scheme. The narrative suggests that Thiel was responding to a perceived need for action, believing himself capable of making a significant change in a contentious situation. This exploration highlights the intricacies of ambition and the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in positions of power.
