As far as I am aware, I am not sterile — Jack Cummins
For example, I have gone into a pub, with a book, wishing to be left alone , just to be given space to read and, despite the social distancing rules, I have been told to move, to make way for groups. — Jack Cummins
So was I. An individual is a single, a single is one, and one is a fundamental unity. The common meaning of "individual" is a fundamental unity. You might say that an "individual" is a person. But isn't this exactly what a person is, a fundamental unity? — Metaphysician Undercover
At this point you seem to concur, that the existence of the group is caused by the existence of the individuals. But if this is the case, that the capacity, or propensity for empathy is prior to the group which it produces, it creates a perplexity. Why are individual living beings naturally endowed with a propensity toward creating groups? — Metaphysician Undercover
From an evolutionary perspective, it seems like some kind of gathering would have had to come first. A random mutation for sociability wouldn't benefit a species unless they were interacting in some way. — Echarmion
I don't quite see where you get the unity aspect from. — Echarmion
And I think the concepts of single and multitude are mutually dependant. — Echarmion
If there was only one of a kind of entity, we wouldn't call it a "single entity", we'd call it by it's name. Just like we'd not call someone named "Jason" a "single Jason" unless there was some need to differentiate. — Echarmion
From an evolutionary perspective, it seems like some kind of gathering would have had to come first. A random mutation for sociability wouldn't benefit a species unless they were interacting in some way. — Echarmion
and individualism is a recent invention. — Echarmion
I believe that the individual is the fundamental threat to the group, despite being inherently required for the group, hence the insistence by the group to subjugate the individual. — Book273
If nothing else, perhaps all the responses you are getting, suggests that your whole philosophy of egoism is an important area, worthy of debate. — Jack Cummins
hence the insistence by the group to subjugate the individual. "The good of the many outweigh the good of the one", "the greater good", etc. With the determination of the self, as an independent entity and unattached to the group, comes the threat that said determination may spread throughout the group, reducing the engagement in the group and weakening the group. — Book273
but I am wondering how do you define the ego? — Jack Cummins
You care about yourself, right? Wish to survive, live, and thrive? Others wish to do the same. Tell me, exactly how much land, resources, and people do you think you could protect on your own? How much can the larger group protect? So, by protecting the larger group and being selfless, you protect yourself and your own freedom to be selfish. Ironic, I suppose. — Outlander
I think that you are going to feel bombarded by all the responses you have, and all the startling, offbeat ones. — Jack Cummins
I had noticed that you had not posted on this site for a long while, and had thought that you had become completely fed up with this site. — Jack Cummins
My point is that the root of all interpersonal relationships is not the community, but the individual. — Gus Lamarch
Obviously, if two beings with the same goals and purposes - like 1 and 1, where both complete the same goal - add or subtract 1 - - come together, the tendency is for them to unite. — Gus Lamarch
I think it is about self interest, but with a need to respect others. — Jack Cummins
If we did not respect others at all, life would be constant war and conflict every moment, as everywhere we go we have to meet others, bigger and stronger, like in the school playground. — Jack Cummins
hence the insistence by the group to subjugate the individual. "The good of the many outweigh the good of the one", "the greater good", etc. With the determination of the self, as an independent entity and unattached to the group, comes the threat that said determination may spread throughout the group, reducing the engagement in the group and weakening the group.
— Book273
Do you think this is the reason people want to fit in so badly or is there something else going on? — Brett
I constantly strive to understand the "why" of trying to fit in. It seems to be based primarily on perceived inadequacy of the individual trying to fit it, as if by not fitting in "they will be found out" and then their created world would implode, or some equally horrific result will come about. — Book273
My questioning in this area has yielded a multitude of answers that boil down to "because not fitting in is bad, because it means you don't fit in with the group." — Book273
the root of all interpersonal relationships is not the community, but the individual. — Gus Lamarch
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