Even more significant of the inherent weakness of the collectivist theories is the extraordinary paradox that from the assertion that society is in some sense more than merely the aggregate of all individuals their adherents regularly pass by a sort of intellectual somersault to the thesis that in order that the coherence of this larger entity be safeguarded it must be subjected to conscious control, that is, to the control of what in the last resort must be an individual mind. It thus comes about that in practice it is regularly the theoretical collectivist who extols individual reason and demands that all forces of society be made subject to the direction of a single mastermind, while it is the individualist who recognizes the limitations of the powers of individual reason and consequently advocates freedom as a means for the fullest development of the powers of the interindividual process.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Collectivism paradoxically relies on one mind to control society while claiming society is bigger than individuals.
- In plain terms
- Collectivists say society is more than people but then want one leader to control it.
- What can you take from it?
- Realize collective control relies on individual minds.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can any individual mind control complex society?
- What limits does reason face?
Another view
Collective decision making can be stronger than individual.
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