In elementary school, one of the hip hop acts which was most popular among both children and adults with whom I maintained contact was Run-DMC (also formatted Run-D.M.C.). Personally, group members are considered hip hop trailblazers and they earned their spot with cultural legend status.
All the same, it’s a rare occasion that I listen to any material from Run-DMC. Admittedly, the group lost my favor when member Joseph “Run” Simmons starred in the reality television series Run’s House. For my part, that mainstream crossover was a selling-out point that I didn’t enjoy.
In any case, I was conducting my usual physical training earlier this morning and a song by lyricist Jaysaun shuffled into my playlist, called “Opinions.” On the track, Jaysaun states, “Run-DMC told y’all that it was like that. And ya had to accept that, ‘cause it was like that.”
There are three matters of clarification regarding that line which I think are worth discussing herein. First, Jaysaun was referencing the Run-DMC track “It’s Like That,” remixed in 1997 by house music DJ Jason Nevins, and which was originally released in 1983.
At the end of each verse, Run-DMC members state, “It’s like that, and that’s the way it is.” Although this may seem like a tautological expression, similar to stating that “it is what it is,” I find deeper meaning than what may otherwise be deemed as little more than a redundant phrase.
This brings me to my second point. In a blogpost entitled The Is-Ought Problem, I discussed the late philosopher David Hume’s philosophical razor sometimes termed “Hume’s guillotine.” This matter relates to a descriptive versus prescriptive perspective.
Summarizing Hume’s guillotine, the late philosopher posited that one cannot derive an ought from an is. In other words, when faced with descriptive truth and reality, a person cannot prescriptively demand in a logical or reasonable fashion what ought to instead be the case.
As an example, Run-DMC’s pioneering DJ Jam Master Jay was reportedly murdered in 2002. That is descriptively what happened. However, it would be illogical and unreasonable to prescriptively demand that it ought not to be that way, because it factually is the case.
In the words of Run-DMC, “It’s like that, and that’s the way it is,” no matter how fervently one insists that it oughtn’t to be as it so truthfully and really is. This is precisely the framing of Hume’s guillotine, which is represented in the following syllogism:
Form (modus ponens) –
If p, then q; p; therefore, q.
Example –
If something is, then it simply is.
Something is.
Therefore, it simply is.
The premises and conclusion of this syllogism follow logical form and are arguably reasonable, because they aren’t influenced by needless moral arbitration to the contrary. In other words, the syllogism is rational (both logical and reasonable), because it doesn’t demand what ought to be.
This brings me to my third and final point – one that functions in accordance with my approach to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Again, Jaysaun stated, “Run-DMC told y’all that it was like that. And ya had to accept that, ‘cause it was like that.”
Therein, the lyricist used a derivative of a recommendatory should statement (i.e., “had to”) which relates to the REBT technique of the ABC model. Likewise, he advocated unconditional acceptance (UA) which is another REBT tool. For context, I’ll briefly expand upon these elements.
REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when Actions occur and people maintain irrational Beliefs about the events, these unhelpful assumptions – and not the actual occurrences – are what cause unpleasant cognitive, emotive, bodily sensation, and behavioral Consequences.
Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of these unproductive assumptions in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Noteworthy, Actions and Consequences aren’t Disputed, as only unproductive Beliefs are challenged.
Helpfully, REBT uses the technique of UA to relieve suffering which is attributed to the process of self-disturbance. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.
Ostensibly, in “Opinions,” Jaysaun advocated UA in regard to Hume’s guillotine. “It’s like that, and that the way it is,” Run-DMC accurately declared and, “ya had to accept that, ‘cause it was like that,” Jaysaun correctly stated. Of course, there’s an alternative to this proposition.
Through use of irrational beliefs about what merely is, you can – and most likely will – disturb yourself to a virtually limitless degree throughout your life. Jam Master Jay was apparently murdered (is) and you maintain that the crime ought not to have happened.
However, he’s dead and cannot return to life in his physical form (is). “But it oughtn’t to be that way,” you irrationally prescribe. No matter what your moral or ethical stance dictates, Jam Master Jay isn’t coming back – and that’s the way it is.
Likewise, no matter how much I didn’t appreciate Joseph “Run” Simmons ostensibly selling out by way of a reality series, he did – and that’s the way it is. However, I didn’t disturb myself with unproductive beliefs about Run’s apparently crossover to a wider and non-hip hop audience.
Rather, I simply said to myself, “I don’t like what Run has done, I don’t have to consume his content, and I can simply find hip hop material which is better aligned with my interests.” Thus, I didn’t violate Hume’s guillotine – and that’s the way it is.
Hopefully, you understand each of the three points I’ve outlined herein. First, Run-DMC is a historic hip hop group. Second, Hume’s guillotine addresses a descriptive versus prescriptive perspective. Lastly, UA is a method of reducing the process of self-disturbance.
Although the first point is merely contextual, the latter two points may help you in regard to a well-lived life. If you’d like to know more about REBT, and perhaps a little about hip hop, I invite you to read more content within my poorly written blog – ‘cause that’s the way it is.
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
Photo credit, photographer: Glen E. Friedman, fair use
References:
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