Individualism and Society

by
Dean Gotcher

"It is not individualism [the child humbling and denying his "self," making his "self" subject to the father's/Father's authority, making his "self" accountable to the father/Father for his thoughts and actions] that fulfills the individual, on the contrary it destroys him. Society ["human relationship based upon self interest," i.e., the child thinking and acting according to his desires and dissatisfactions which he has in common with others] is the necessary framework through which freedom [from the father's/Father's authority] and individuality [to be "of and for" his "self"] are made realities." (Karl Marx, in John Lewis, The Life and Teachings of Karl Marx) "The real nature of man is the totality of social relations." (Karl Marx, Thesis on Feuerbach #6)

"It is not the will or desire of any one person which establish order but the moving spirit of the whole group. Control is social." (John Dewey, Experience and Education) "Frauds individual psychology is in its very essence social psychology." "Freud's theory is in its very substance 'sociological.'" (Marcuse, Eros and Civilization) Marcuse, quoting Freud, wrote: "Individual psychology is thus in itself group psychology ... the individual ... is an archaic identity with the species." "This archaic heritage bridges the 'gap between individual and mass psychology.'" (Sigmund Freud, Moses and Monotheism as quoted in Marcuse, Eros and Civilization)

"Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." Jeremiah 17:5 "Every one that is proud in heart [who 'justifies' his "self," i.e., his carnal desires and dissatisfactions of the 'moment,' i.e. who establishes "self," i.e., "human nature" above and therefore against God, i.e., the Father (and His Son Jesus Christ, who, denying his "self," obeyed his Heavenly Father in all things commanded), thus negating the Father's authority in his thoughts and actions] is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." Proverbs 16:5