Bliss

Author(s): Amarmuni
Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra

Page 32

Individual and society
cannot live apart from society, it is essential that he cultivate generosity and large-heartedness towards those who are in his vicinity and in his workplace. As members of society, it is our responsibility to inculcate within ourselves and others, a sense of togetherness and belonging. Distrust among fellowmen is the greatest cause for the downfall of societies. Thus this ideal of unity, of empathy among individuals in a society has to be reiterated over and over again.
The ever nagging question is, who is more important - the individual or the society? Is the individual the basis for society or is society the basis for an individual? Some thinkers say that individual is the larger issue because society is comprised of individuals. Others say that society is larger because an individual cannot have an identity without society. When the drop merges into the ocean, it is a drop no longer, it is only the ocean. The same is the state of individual and society, of one and many, of individual consciousness and collective consciousness. In my view, neither individualism nor socialism can stand alone. In some aspects, individual is important and in others, society. The individual is important because he is the foundation of society and society is important because it situates the individual. If we consider this seriously, we will realize that both are important in their spheres. Neither is smaller or bigger than the other. If an individual's identity does not exist in the universe, can family, society and nation have an existence at all?
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The worth of a nation depends on the worth of the individuals who make it. So also the worth of a society depends on the worth of the individuals who make it. The same holds good for families too. Even if an individual exists on his own, within the purview of his family, he is many, despite being an individual.
So the question is, when individuals and socieities are interdependant, how can the individual have a separate identity? How is it possible? It is possible on the basis of his individuality. Every individual has his own individuality, on the basis of which he is one, despite being among many. Individuality is like the fragrance of a flower. Fragrance is not visible, yet, it can be felt.