Self and Humanity

[Steezie]

I came across this the other day while on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO_xh7xIabk

Its actually a Secret Project from Alpha Centauri (The game, not the star) and I've always found the idea that the group can be a greater body than the individual very interesting.

But in such a fiercely independent culture like the US, it seems people are unable or unwilling to disconnect the idea that either the self or the group has to prevail and they cannot co-exist

Why is this?

*Standard boilerplate, the video is not an attempt to convert anyone to anything. If you think it is, you are...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjwaqZfjIY

 

[Eudaimonist]

Its actually a Secret Project from Alpha Centauri (The game, not the star)

Cool game.

I've always found the idea that the group can be a greater body than the individual very interesting.

I find it utterly evil.

But in such a fiercely independent culture like the US, it seems people are unable or unwilling to disconnect the idea that either the self or the group has to prevail and they cannot co-exist

Why is this?

Of course individuals and groups can co-exist. Human beings are social beings by nature. We flourish in groups. We need groups.

But the question is: do individuals exist to benefit groups, or do groups exist to benefit individuals? I say it's the latter, and any attempt to make it the former produces atrocities.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[quatona]

I came across this the other day while on YouTube
Its actually a Secret Project from Alpha Centauri (The game, not the star) and I've always found the idea that the group can be a greater body than the individual very interesting.

What do you mean - "greater"?
I can see how a group can be more powerful than an individual, and that a group can be more effective than the individual. I would like to reserve my opinion of whether I approve of the goals that the group acts effectively towards - thus the dichotomy seems to be inescapable to me.

But in such a fiercely independent culture like the US, it seems people are unable or unwilling to disconnect the idea that either the self or the group has to prevail and they cannot co-exist

Why is this?

I´m afraid I either don´t understand or don´t agree with your analysis. For all practical purposes I see individualism and the appreciation of groups co-existing quite fine.

As for the philosophical part: "Self" and "group" are both questionable conceptual constructs.

 

[Steezie]

I find it utterly evil.

Why?

But the question is: do individuals exist to benefit groups, or do groups exist to benefit individuals? I say it's the latter

But how does the group benefit the individual when the individual is putting so little into the group?

and any attempt to make it the former produces atrocities.

You could say the latter does as well. You end up with greed, selfishness, short supply and starvation. I dont see how allowing people to starve when there is plenty of food to feed everyone ISNT an atrocity.