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Nick_A
Guest
I saw this excerpt from Brian:
I was attracted to the expression "survival of the individual." It seems that this can only be meant in the physical and behaviorist sense. But is that all that is meant by individuality?
Naturally as a believer in conscious evolution, objective individuality has a distinct meaning for me. But I am curious about you dear reader. How do you define individuality and what is required for its development and its survival? Is it even anything to be strived for especially in these times when often we are all considered as "one?"
Originally Posted by Brian
the human animal is torn by two opposing sociobiological forces - survival of the group, and survival of the individual.
Survival of the group requires that everyone understands their positions, and are held to account by the group in the interests of the group.
Survival of the individual plays out in the dynamics of social inequalities - by nature, social groups have heirarchies and increasing the chances of survival tends to relate to increasing social standing, ie, access to resources, mates, protection, etc.
I think it's especially worth suggesting that the lower social classes - where social advancement is less of an option - may be more prone to positive moral judgements with regards to the group element. The need to stick together due to the vulnerability of being alone. The reverse is that the higher social standing, the the greater the opportunity of flouting social rules for personal gain.
I was attracted to the expression "survival of the individual." It seems that this can only be meant in the physical and behaviorist sense. But is that all that is meant by individuality?
Naturally as a believer in conscious evolution, objective individuality has a distinct meaning for me. But I am curious about you dear reader. How do you define individuality and what is required for its development and its survival? Is it even anything to be strived for especially in these times when often we are all considered as "one?"