I chose to listen to this book because, quite frankly, it sounds like fun. I was well aware that this was not the latest Tucker Max “book.” If you like Tucker Max, and I must admit that I did when I was 20, just stop now because this book is not for you.
Assholes: A Theory is a philosophical study on asshole-ish behavior that attempts to walk the line between serious and tongue-in-cheek. Well, it may not try to walk that line but it certainly feels that it does. Aaron James is a professor of philosophy at UC Irvine and he earned his Ph.D. from Harvard. He certainly seems to possess the necessary background to undertake an honest and legitimate study on asshole behavior. Despite all of his credentials, the book falls flat and comes across as, well, hokey.
James describes assholes as follows:
“The asshole is the guy who systematically allows himself special advantages in cooperative life out of an entrenched sense of entitlement that immunizes him against the complaints of other people.”
He then specifies and categorizes the myriad of different assholes that exist. The categories include the Smug, the Delusional, the Capitalist, and many others. James acknowledges immediately that his own biases affect his examples in many categories. I appreciate the honesty and candor but found it very disconcerting. This is the principle reason that I did not particularly like the book. I do not believe that you should write from an academic standpoint with biases, even acknowledged. The book lost its credibility at that moment. I agree that all of the examples listed are in fact assholes but the overwhelming bias was almost uncomfortable.
At its very best, Assholes: A Theory is most like Machiavelli’s The Prince, as the reader is uncertain of the seriousness of the writer. Reading Assholes: A Theory as a serious book with a tongue-in-cheek vibe (a la World War Z) can be a fantastic read. James’ book is much more entertaining from this perspective.
