The Pendulum of the Individual and the Communal
Particular cultures will often emphasize the individual or the community as orienting principles but the wisdom of religion and philosophy can show us how to balance the two within ourselves
The archetypal hero of the American cultural ethos is the lone individual standing up for their own sense of what’s right and what matters in the face of social expectations and traditional ways of being. Two places we find this archetype expressed in our cultural narratives are the John Wayne-esque lone ranger of the Wild West, and the increasingly popular superhero. Neither the lone ranger nor the super hero are egoists who pursue their own personal pleasure, but rather are committed to a form of vigilante justice. These figures are both committed to a personal set of values that they believe will bring justice for themselves and their community even if they are at odds with social norms or the law. In the concrete realm of daily life we also find this archetype to be the organizing principle of many American practices and institutions. The existence of a relatively free market is justified by the reasoning that it is best to allow the choices of individual business owners and workers, and not a centralized governing body, to govern the flow and structure of the market. Similarly, the expectation that a child’s path towards maturity consists in moving away from their family and building their own life is also a reflection of this individualistic ideal.
In contrast to this emphasis on the individual we also can find cultures that emphasize the good of the larger community as an orienting principle, whether that be a family, a community, a nation state, or a religious institution. One obvious example of a society oriented more towards community would be a caste system or a feudal system where an individual's place in society is determined by birth, leaving them no freedom to pave their own way in life. We can also find this communal orienting principle at play in families where the wife, husband, or daughter is expected to perform certain duties based solely on their role in the family. I am aware the distinction between an orientation to the individual and the communal is somewhat artificial. I am aware that there are many families, communities, and cultures which simultaneously encourage autonomous choice and service to a larger community. However, I do think it is an important distinction to discuss as I find that it is commonly perceived as an either/or duality. I have had friends raised in a more community oriented culture that have been challenged by the expectations of family or community members for them to fill a predetermined role in the family. In my own personal experience, I have also noticed that my orientation towards my own individual needs and aspirations has sometimes kept me from supporting friends or family in the way they may need. These are just two examples of what can, and in my experience does, happen when we perceive this as an either/or dichotomy. Although each culture and society usually emphasizes and develops certain polarities of human potential, in this case the polarity of the communal or the individual, I want to suggest that if we look to the sages, philosophers, and contemplatives of these same cultures, we will always find a suggestion that those who desire to walk the path of wisdom must balance these polarities within themselves.
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