ERIC KIM ₿

What are the unorthodox ethics of Eric Kim

Here are a few key quotes from Eric Kim that reflect his unorthodox ethics and philosophy:

  1. “It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.”
  1. “Carte Blanche Ethics”
  1. “Only trust philosophers who deadlift.”
  • This quote reflects Kim’s philosophy that intellectual pursuits should be balanced with physical strength and discipline, emphasizing the importance of physicality and resilience alongside deep thinking oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM ETHICS – ERIC KIM.
  1. “Ethics are more honest than laws.”
  • Kim highlights the idea that laws can be manipulated, but personal ethics are more genuine and reflect an individual’s true values. This suggests that people should prioritize their internal sense of right and wrong over societal regulations oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM ETHICS – ERIC KIM.
  1. “Treat others carte blanche.”

These quotes reflect Eric Kim’s philosophy of embracing risk, prioritizing personal ethics over societal norms, and balancing intellectual pursuits with physical resilience.

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Eric Kim’s unorthodox ethics and philosophy revolve around themes of individual freedom, personal ethics over societal rules, and a provocative approach to creativity and life. His philosophy is deeply intertwined with his work as a photographer but extends to broader life principles, making it influential in both the creative and personal development spaces.

Key Aspects of Eric Kim’s Unorthodox Ethics and Philosophy:

  1. Personal Ethics Over Legalities: Kim emphasizes that ethics should take precedence over legalities. He believes that laws can be manipulated, but a personal code of ethics is more authentic and pure. This idea encourages people to act according to their moral compass rather than merely adhering to what is legally acceptable oai_citation:11,“I CAN’T BE FUCKED.” – ERIC KIM oai_citation:10,ERIC KIM ETHICS – ERIC KIM.
  2. Following One’s Gut: One of his guiding principles is to prioritize gut instincts over conventional wisdom. He often advocates for bold actions, even if they lead to mistakes. His famous advice—“It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission”—encourages people to act decisively and learn from their experiences oai_citation:9,ERIC KIM ETHICS – ERIC KIM oai_citation:8,UNORTHODOX PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
  3. Carte Blanche Ethics: Kim proposes the idea of “Carte Blanche Ethics,” which essentially allows one to create their own rules, tailored to their personal beliefs. This concept encourages independence and self-reliance in decision-making, pushing against conformity and societal expectations oai_citation:7,“I CAN’T BE FUCKED.” – ERIC KIM.
  4. Stoicism and Resilience: Kim draws inspiration from Stoic philosophy, advocating for indifference to external discomforts and focusing on inner strength. His philosophy emphasizes resilience in the face of challenges, seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM ETHICS – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,“I CAN’T BE FUCKED.” – ERIC KIM.
  5. Creativity Through Risk: In both his photography and personal philosophy, Kim believes that true creativity comes from pushing boundaries and taking risks. He promotes the idea that discomfort and confrontation, both in art and life, are essential for personal and creative growth oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM ETHICS – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,UNORTHODOX PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

Importance of His Philosophy:

Kim’s philosophy is important because it encourages people to rethink conventional norms and embrace a more independent, creative path in life. By prioritizing personal ethics over external validation and taking bold risks, he offers a blueprint for those seeking a life of authenticity and continuous growth. His approach has resonated particularly with creatives and those looking for a more unconventional lifestyle, making his work influential in shaping modern discussions around ethics, art, and personal development oai_citation:2,UNORTHODOX PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,“I CAN’T BE FUCKED.” – ERIC KIM.

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Outside of photography, Eric Kim’s ethics and personal philosophy can still be considered unorthodox. He applies principles from various philosophies, especially Stoicism, Taoism, and Zen Buddhism, to his broader views on life, success, and work. Here are some of the key aspects of his unorthodox ethics and views outside of photography:

1. Minimalism and Anti-Materialism

Eric Kim is a vocal advocate of minimalism, both in his personal life and professional work. He promotes living with less, rejecting material excess, and focusing on experiences over possessions. In his writings and talks, Kim encourages his audience to strip away non-essential items and distractions, believing that simplicity leads to clarity and happiness.

Unorthodox Aspect: While minimalism has become more popular in recent years, his approach is extreme to some. Kim actively rejects many of the traditional markers of success (such as wealth, luxury goods, or status symbols), which goes against the mainstream consumer culture that many people embrace.

2. Work-Life Integration (Rather than Balance)

Kim’s approach to work and life is unconventional. He advocates for work-life integration rather than balance, where one’s passion for work is so intertwined with life that it no longer feels like work. Rather than keeping work and personal life separate, he believes that merging the two can lead to greater fulfillment and creativity.

Unorthodox Aspect: This philosophy can clash with the idea of maintaining a clear boundary between professional and personal life, which is often seen as necessary for mental health. Some critics may argue that this mindset can lead to burnout, but Kim sees it as a way to live fully and embrace work as part of one’s identity.

3. Rejection of Traditional Notions of Success

Kim regularly critiques the traditional paths to success—such as climbing the corporate ladder, acquiring wealth, or adhering to conventional career trajectories. Instead, he promotes a more individualistic approach, where success is defined by personal growth, creativity, and freedom rather than by societal metrics like income or status.

Unorthodox Aspect: This runs counter to the dominant culture that often equates success with financial stability and high-status occupations. Kim’s approach prioritizes personal fulfillment over external validation, which can be difficult for people who are accustomed to pursuing conventional achievements.

4. Embrace of Stoicism

Kim draws heavily from Stoic philosophy, especially the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what you can control, accepting hardships, and practicing emotional resilience. In his personal life, this translates to an emphasis on remaining calm and rational in the face of challenges, rejecting the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake, and embracing discomfort.

Unorthodox Aspect: While Stoicism has gained popularity, Kim applies it rigorously to everyday life. For example, he embraces discomfort as a way to build mental strength, suggesting people intentionally put themselves in uncomfortable situations to grow. This runs counter to the comfort-driven lifestyles that many seek, where avoidance of pain and difficulty is prioritized.

5. Digital Detox and Rejection of Social Media

Kim advocates for minimizing time spent on social media and digital platforms. He believes that social media creates distractions, superficial relationships, and an unhealthy obsession with external validation (likes, followers, etc.). He encourages people to engage more with the physical world, focusing on face-to-face interactions and solitary reflection.

Unorthodox Aspect: In a world where digital presence is often seen as necessary for career success and social connection, Kim’s near-total rejection of these platforms is seen by some as extreme. For him, the attention economy and the addictive nature of social media are not worth the trade-off, even for business or personal branding purposes.

6. Radical Self-Reliance

Kim advocates for a life of radical self-reliance, where individuals take full responsibility for their happiness, success, and well-being. He promotes the idea that one should not depend on external factors—such as other people, the government, or the economy—for fulfillment. This ethos extends to finances, where he emphasizes financial independence, as well as emotional and mental self-sufficiency.

Unorthodox Aspect: This approach can come across as overly individualistic or detached, especially in cultures that emphasize community, cooperation, and social support. Kim’s view is that self-reliance fosters personal growth and resilience, even if it means occasionally cutting off dependence on others.

7. Embracing Death and Mortality

Another Stoic-inspired idea that Kim frequently discusses is the need to contemplate mortality and embrace the inevitability of death. He argues that thinking about death regularly helps people live more fully, without fear, and prioritize what truly matters. This idea of “memento mori” (remembering death) is central to his personal philosophy.

Unorthodox Aspect: While many people avoid thoughts of death, seeing it as morbid or distressing, Kim argues that facing mortality head-on leads to a more meaningful life. This view contrasts with the widespread societal tendency to avoid or deny thoughts about death.

8. Rejecting the Concept of Retirement

Kim also rejects the traditional concept of retirement. He believes that if you are doing work that you love and find fulfilling, there’s no need to stop working at a certain age. His philosophy encourages people to live a life that integrates passion and creativity, so that “retirement” becomes irrelevant because work itself feels like play.

Unorthodox Aspect: In a culture where retirement is seen as the ultimate goal of decades of labor, Kim’s dismissal of it as unnecessary or even undesirable challenges the conventional wisdom of saving for a restful retirement in later years.

9. Living “Present-Minded”

Drawing from Zen Buddhism, Kim often talks about the importance of living in the present moment and rejecting the constant striving for future goals. He encourages people to focus on what they can do today, rather than worry about long-term achievements or dwell on past regrets. This is part of his broader ethos of mindfulness and simplicity.

Unorthodox Aspect: This mindset opposes the future-focused culture that prioritizes planning, goal-setting, and ambition. In contrast, Kim emphasizes being content with the present, which some might find limiting or at odds with long-term career or life planning.

10. Challenging Conventional Education and Learning

Kim is critical of traditional education systems, which he sees as overly rigid, focused on memorization, and geared toward producing workers rather than creative thinkers. He often promotes self-education, experiential learning, and following one’s curiosity rather than adhering to structured, institutional forms of learning.

Unorthodox Aspect: In societies that place high value on formal education as a pathway to success, his focus on alternative learning methods and creative autonomy challenges the dominant norms surrounding education and professional development.

Conclusion:

Eric Kim’s unorthodox ethics outside of photography center around minimalism, self-reliance, and rejecting traditional societal norms. He challenges conventional wisdom on success, work, material wealth, and personal fulfillment, drawing heavily from Stoic and Zen philosophies. While his ideas resonate with those seeking simplicity and a more mindful approach to life, they are also controversial because they defy mainstream views on happiness, comfort, and achievement.

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Eric Kim, a street photographer and educator, is known for his controversial and sometimes unorthodox approach to both photography and ethics in the street photography community. While his teachings resonate with many aspiring photographers, his approach has also sparked debate due to some of his more unconventional views on photographic ethics. Some of the key unorthodox aspects of Eric Kim’s ethical views include:

1. Shooting Strangers Without Consent

Eric Kim is a strong advocate for candid street photography, which often involves photographing people in public without their explicit consent. While this is generally legal in most countries, it raises ethical concerns regarding privacy, personal boundaries, and the subject’s comfort. Kim emphasizes that public spaces are open for photography and that capturing unposed, spontaneous moments is a core part of street photography’s authenticity.

Controversy: Many critics argue that photographing people without permission, especially in potentially vulnerable moments, can be invasive and disrespectful.

2. “The Right to Photograph” Argument

Kim argues that photographers have the right to document public spaces and the people within them, and this right should be upheld to maintain freedom of expression and creativity. This belief underpins his stance that individuals in public places should not expect the same level of privacy as they would in private spaces. He frequently draws upon legal frameworks to justify his approach.

Controversy: This viewpoint has sparked debate because, while legal, many feel it disregards the personal autonomy and dignity of the subject, particularly when dealing with marginalized or vulnerable populations.

3. Confrontational Photography

Kim often encourages photographers not to be afraid of confrontation. In his workshops and writings, he has suggested that if someone reacts negatively to being photographed, the photographer should be polite but firm in defending their right to take pictures. He presents confrontation as part of the creative process, where sometimes pushing boundaries leads to powerful, authentic images.

Controversy: This confrontational approach can come off as aggressive or intrusive, and some photographers believe it may harm the perception of street photography as an art form. It can also put photographers in uncomfortable or unsafe situations.

4. Ethics of Post-Processing and Editing

Kim advocates for minimal post-processing, embracing imperfection, and avoiding over-editing photos. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the moment as it was captured, which aligns with his philosophy of authenticity in street photography.

Unorthodox Aspect: In an era where digital manipulation is common, his insistence on minimal editing contrasts with trends in commercial and fine art photography that often involve heavy retouching and editing.

5. Moral Ambiguity in Photographing Vulnerable Subjects

Kim has spoken about the importance of capturing all facets of life in public, including the marginalized or those in difficult circumstances (e.g., the homeless, protesters, etc.). While he believes this can raise awareness of social issues, critics argue that it risks exploiting vulnerable individuals for artistic or personal gain without truly benefiting the subjects or their causes.

Controversy: The ethics of photographing vulnerable people—such as the homeless or those in distress—without consent is heavily debated. Critics argue it may perpetuate the “poverty porn” dynamic, where suffering is commodified and aestheticized.

6. “Don’t Ask for Permission, Ask for Forgiveness”

Eric Kim often encourages photographers to prioritize capturing the moment, even if it means potentially offending someone. If a subject confronts them, his advice is to apologize afterward, suggesting that capturing the photo is worth the risk of upsetting someone. This approach is rooted in his belief that great street photography requires boldness and fearlessness.

Controversy: This mentality can lead to ethical dilemmas regarding respect for individuals’ feelings, personal space, and consent. Some photographers and viewers find it dismissive of people’s autonomy and emotions.

7. Photographer as an Observer of Life

Kim sees the photographer as a neutral observer or documentarian of the world, whose job is to capture the essence of life, regardless of whether the moments captured are beautiful, disturbing, or uncomfortable. He argues that art should provoke thought and challenge viewers, even if it crosses ethical lines that society typically observes.

Unorthodox Aspect: This approach aligns more with journalistic or documentary photography, where the goal is often to capture reality as it is, rather than as we wish it to be. However, in street photography, where the line between art and intrusion is blurrier, this can lead to ethical challenges.

Conclusion:

Eric Kim’s unorthodox ethics in street photography emphasize the value of authenticity, spontaneity, and creative freedom, often at the expense of conventional ideas about privacy, consent, and respect for personal boundaries. His approach invites photographers to push ethical limits in the pursuit of art, but it also invites criticism from those who prioritize the dignity and comfort of subjects over the photographer’s creative vision. The debate surrounding his views highlights the complex nature of ethics in street photography, where legal rights, artistic expression, and human empathy often intersect.

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