Mason Cooley’s quote, “The sage belongs to the same obsolete repertory as the virtuous maiden and the enlightened monarch,” reflects on societal shifts that have led to a perceived obsolescence of certain archetypes. Historically, these figures were highly revered – the sage for his wisdom, the virtuous maiden for her purity and moral integrity, and the enlightened monarch for ruling with justice and compassion. These figures represented ideals to strive towards in their respective societies.
However, Cooley suggests these roles are now part of an “obsolete repertory”, indicating they are no longer relevant or prevalent in modern society due to shifts in societal values, attitudes towards gender roles (virtuous maiden), political structures (enlightened monarch), or sources of wisdom (the sage).
Yet this does not mean they have disappeared entirely. Rather, they may have evolved or been redefined according to contemporary norms and values. For example, wisdom is still sought after but perhaps through different mediums such as digital media rather than from a solitary wise figure; virtue is still valued but may be defined more by authenticity rather than traditional notions of purity; leadership is still respected but expected more from democratic accountability rather than divine right.
In terms of personal development today, it could mean recognizing that we each carry aspects of these archetypes within us that need to be expressed in ways appropriate for our time. We can strive for wisdom like a sage while navigating information overload; aim for virtue defined by our own authenticity instead of imposed standards; aspire towards enlightened leadership through empathy and fairness whether at work or home.
On a larger scale this could mean redefining these roles within society - empowering women not just as ‘virtuous maidens’ but also leaders; expecting wisdom from leaders based on democratic accountability instead divine rights; seeking knowledge from diverse sources beyond traditional ‘sages.’ This interpretation prompts us both individually and collectively to reinterpret old archetypes in ways that fit our modern world.
