Deep down, I have never liked the notion of being defined by the country I was born into, the colour of my skin, the ethnic group I belong to etc. All these things are (or at least seem to be) an accident of chance and an accident of birth. I had no role in choosing them. I had no role in choosing to be born in the first place. None of us do.
I am an individual. I am me. In that sense, I am unique, as is everyone else.
But we live in a society. Our lives depend on each other.
I usually refrain from talking about groups and things associated with groups like culture, group identity etc. This is because everyone is different and has his/her own beliefs, ideas, idiosyncrasies etc. But, in order to survive, group identity is essential. Like it or not, this is the way nature works. In a violent riot between group A and group B (groups based on any particular characteristic), people from group B, by and large, wouldn't care about my beliefs and ideas if I were a member of group A (perhaps these groups are based on skin colour for instance, something I have no control over). I would be likely to be killed anyway. On the other hand, if I go against an idea that most people of the group I belong to adhere to, I would likely be deemed a traitor and I would again be at the risk of being harmed. This is a horrible situation to be in, and I hope I never find myself in such a situation.
Talking about groups is a complex endeavour because there are so many variables involved. Arguments often become convoluted and people tend to get an "us versus them" mentality without considering variations between individuals within the same group.
Taking all this into regard, I sort of feel lost in this world.
What do you think about individuals and groups?
I am an individual. I am me. In that sense, I am unique, as is everyone else.
But we live in a society. Our lives depend on each other.
I usually refrain from talking about groups and things associated with groups like culture, group identity etc. This is because everyone is different and has his/her own beliefs, ideas, idiosyncrasies etc. But, in order to survive, group identity is essential. Like it or not, this is the way nature works. In a violent riot between group A and group B (groups based on any particular characteristic), people from group B, by and large, wouldn't care about my beliefs and ideas if I were a member of group A (perhaps these groups are based on skin colour for instance, something I have no control over). I would be likely to be killed anyway. On the other hand, if I go against an idea that most people of the group I belong to adhere to, I would likely be deemed a traitor and I would again be at the risk of being harmed. This is a horrible situation to be in, and I hope I never find myself in such a situation.
Talking about groups is a complex endeavour because there are so many variables involved. Arguments often become convoluted and people tend to get an "us versus them" mentality without considering variations between individuals within the same group.
Taking all this into regard, I sort of feel lost in this world.
What do you think about individuals and groups?
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