If collective guilt does not exist, then the inverse must necessarily be true - that collective virtue also does not exist right? That hiding yourself in amongst a group, taking on the "virtues" of the group as your own and using it to explain away your personal miseries and suffering and in the worst of cases, looking to inflict that pain onto others.
I'd say that most instinctively know that collective virtue does not exist. Each of us have to earn respect through virtuous actions. But, collective guilt appeals to most peoples desire for black and white, good vs evil, not shades of gray and nuance.
So much in my inbox ...been unsubscribing left and right.
Your essays remain 💚 I don't always make the time to read...but I do hope to.
Made time today and it struck a chord - your writing and commentary does so often. Also added "Man's Search for Meaning" to the next up on my reading list - embarrassed to say have never read it after so many years learning about Frankl and his story/outlook.
I read "Man's Search For Meaning" in high school and have never forgotten Victor Frankl. I need to reread it again all these years later. It meant a lot to me then, but I have no doubt it would mean even more to me now. Great essay. Thank you for sharing.
Man's Search for Meaning was emotionally very hard for me to read but I finally read it a few years ago. Your essay Barry brings out the most poignant meaning of that frightening and torturous time in history.
Man's Search for Meaning is one of the most meaningful books for me from the last century. Imagine if we replaced the oppressor/oppressed instruction in schools with moral clarity, the nuance and complexity of good and evil found in every group. What a wonderful world it would be. Thank you for creating, and sharing, this timely essay.
《DEI formally stands for “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” although a more accurate name for this ideology would be “division, evil, and insanity.” Contrary to what Democrats would have you believe, there’s absolutely nothing inclusive or honorable about the tenets of DEI. The agenda to force this ideology upon young, impressionable minds as they seek higher education is also quite insidious.》—Unskool
If collective guilt does not exist, then the inverse must necessarily be true - that collective virtue also does not exist right? That hiding yourself in amongst a group, taking on the "virtues" of the group as your own and using it to explain away your personal miseries and suffering and in the worst of cases, looking to inflict that pain onto others.
I'd say that most instinctively know that collective virtue does not exist. Each of us have to earn respect through virtuous actions. But, collective guilt appeals to most peoples desire for black and white, good vs evil, not shades of gray and nuance.
How can collective guilt be applied without a perceived collective virtue?
Collective guilt and collective victimhood
Thanks for the instructive point, John!
Thank you for this Barry. I am looking forward to working through "Man's Search for Meaning" with you.,
Thank you. I appreciate your participation; should be a rich experience!
So much in my inbox ...been unsubscribing left and right.
Your essays remain 💚 I don't always make the time to read...but I do hope to.
Made time today and it struck a chord - your writing and commentary does so often. Also added "Man's Search for Meaning" to the next up on my reading list - embarrassed to say have never read it after so many years learning about Frankl and his story/outlook.
Thank you
What a lovely note to receive. Thank you, SW.
I read "Man's Search For Meaning" in high school and have never forgotten Victor Frankl. I need to reread it again all these years later. It meant a lot to me then, but I have no doubt it would mean even more to me now. Great essay. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Blair. Like all great books each reading reveals more.
Absolutely, Barry! Well said!
Man's Search for Meaning was emotionally very hard for me to read but I finally read it a few years ago. Your essay Barry brings out the most poignant meaning of that frightening and torturous time in history.
Thank you, Celestra. There is much more to come.
Man's Search for Meaning is one of the most meaningful books for me from the last century. Imagine if we replaced the oppressor/oppressed instruction in schools with moral clarity, the nuance and complexity of good and evil found in every group. What a wonderful world it would be. Thank you for creating, and sharing, this timely essay.
Excellent!👏🏻
《DEI formally stands for “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” although a more accurate name for this ideology would be “division, evil, and insanity.” Contrary to what Democrats would have you believe, there’s absolutely nothing inclusive or honorable about the tenets of DEI. The agenda to force this ideology upon young, impressionable minds as they seek higher education is also quite insidious.》—Unskool