Could the isolation that comes from the extreme individualism of society make people ruthless? Is collectivism a more natural environment?

submitted by HibikiBlack from self.C_S_T

I think part of the reason why society developed severe psychological issues is due to a lot of people not being able to deal with the isolation that comes from the extreme individualism that is pushed by society. People are always taught to hold up to over-the-top standards, men are supposed to be able to solve everything and I think women suffer due to always wanting the best men even if its not realistic.

I think a collectivist policy is something much more natural. There's a reason why psychological issues aren't that common in certain religious groups and why the ruling groups always try to push people away from religion.

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[–]Vulptex 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (9 children)

Over-the-top standards are collectivist, not individualist. Society expects you to benefit them a high amount, and obey without question, or they take away your rights and dignity.

[–]HibikiBlack[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (8 children)

I think that's too much of an over-simplification. Collectivist societies can be more and way more complex than that.

[–]Vulptex 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

In theory only. Human nature dictates tyranny in almost any system.

[–]HibikiBlack[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (6 children)

Maybe authoritarianism but not neccesarily tyranny. A king is not a tyrant.

[–]Vulptex 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

What's the difference? And almost no human with that much power could resist becoming a tyrant.

[–]HibikiBlack[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

Power doesn't turn people into a tyrant. A king should be a leading ethical example and should know about the responsibilities that having power brings.

[–]Vulptex 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

Almost no one is those things. Most of the plebs pretend to be out of fear of punishment, but as soon as this is removed they go rogue.

[–]HibikiBlack[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Indeed, not anyone can be the ideal king. That's what makes heroes different from common people. But excellent people like that do exist...

[–]Vulptex 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

They almost never have power. The tyrant gets to be emperor and the good man ends up on a cross.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Power doesn't turn people into a tyrant.

What do you make of the Stanford Prison Experiment then?