Legitimate Ambition vs. Status-Driven Ambition?
Intrinsic Ambition: Fulfilling Your Purpose
VS.
Societal Expectations: Chasing Their Approval
As we approach the end of 2024 and look forward to 2025, many of you may be reflecting on your aspirations for the coming year. Recently, I’ve found myself pondering an important question: What distinguishes legitimate ambition from ambition driven by status?
In our society, success is often idolised. For me, ambition serves as both a guiding force and a moral dilemma. My drive to achieve has always been rooted in a genuine sense of purpose; I was never drawn to pursuing society’s benchmarks of status and approval. However, many people struggle to distinguish between legitimate ambition and status-driven ambition. This is no simple task, it’s a philosophical inquiry that has captivated thinkers for millennia, from the ancient Greeks to contemporary philosophers like Alain de Botton.
So, what exactly makes ambition “legitimate”? And is status-driven ambition truly the only viable path to financial success, particularly for those starting with limited resources? Let’s delve deeper.
Intrinsic Ambition vs. Societal Expectations
Legitimate ambition is often rooted in intrinsic motivation: a desire to pursue goals that resonate with our values, talents, and the pursuit of personal growth. This form of ambition is driven by curiosity, passion, or a profound sense of purpose. For example, an artist creating out of love for their craft embodies intrinsic ambition, irrespective of whether their work garners widespread recognition or financial rewards.
In contrast, status-driven ambition is externally motivated, shaped by societal and cultural definitions of success: wealth, fame, titles, and accolades. These markers, while enticing, are often hollow indicators of personal fulfilment. The critical question to ask is: Are we chasing these goals because they matter to us, or because we crave admiration from others?
Psychologists have long recognised the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Studies consistently show that intrinsic ambition tends to foster greater satisfaction and well-being. On the other hand, status-driven goals, especially when pursued solely for external validation, frequently leave us feeling unfulfilled. Yet, society glorifies the latter. In an era where Instagram-perfect lifestyles are celebrated, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that legitimate ambition often isn’t glamorous.
The Ancient Greeks and Eudaimonia
The ancient Greeks had a term for a fulfilling, meaningful life: eudaimonia. Unlike fleeting happiness, eudaimonia refers to a deeper sense of flourishing - a life lived in harmony with virtue and one’s true self. For Aristotle, ambition was legitimate when it aligned with eudaimonia. This meant striving not for material wealth or public acclaim, but for excellence (arête) in one’s chosen field.
In this view, ambition is not about comparison or climbing social hierarchies. It’s about realising your potential and contributing meaningfully to society. Status, while not inherently negative, becomes problematic when it eclipses the intrinsic value of our pursuits.
Modern philosopher Alain de Botton echoes this sentiment. He argues that much of our status anxiety stems from cultural pressures equating success with material wealth and social standing. In his book Status Anxiety, de Botton highlights how our desire for status often masks deeper needs for love, respect, and validation. Legitimate ambition, by contrast, prioritises internal fulfilment over external validation.
Is status-driven ambition the only route to financial success?
This brings us to a challenging reality: status-driven ambition can often appear to be the sole path to financial success, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Climbing the social ladder frequently requires adhering to societal norms, acquiring credentials, and signalling success through external markers.
For many, pursuing status isn’t a matter of choice, it’s a survival strategy. When financial stability is precarious, the urgency to secure a well-paying job or gain societal approval becomes overwhelming. While these pursuits might seem status-driven, they are often deeply rooted in legitimate desires for security, opportunity, and dignity.
That said, intrinsic ambition isn’t out of reach for those from less privileged backgrounds. Many innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs have risen from humble beginnings by pursuing authentic passions and challenging societal norms. Their success defies the notion that status-driven ambition is the only route to prosperity.
However, it’s important not to romanticise this narrative. The obstacles to success for those who reject status-driven paths are significant. Societal systems often reward conformity over originality, making it difficult for intrinsic ambition to thrive without substantial support.
Striking a Balance: A Modern Perspective on Ambition
How, then, can we balance legitimate ambition with the pressures of societal expectations? Here are a few suggestions:
Clarify Your Values: Reflect on what truly matters to you. Are your goals driven by personal fulfilment or external validation?
Redefine Success: Success doesn’t have to mean wealth or status. It could mean living authentically, creating meaningful work, or making a positive impact on your community.
Be Pragmatic: Acknowledge that some status-driven pursuits might be necessary to achieve stability. Use them as stepping stones, not final destinations.
Seek Role Models: Look for individuals who have balanced intrinsic ambition with external success. Their journeys can provide inspiration and guidance.
As we step into 2025, I wish you all a joyful New Year filled with good health and lasting prosperity. By aligning your ambitions with your values, you can strive not just for success, but for a life of meaning and purpose - a modern interpretation of the ancient ideal of eudaimonia.
