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The Downsides of Being Part of a Group
How Our Tribal Psychology Can Be Problematic
Groups are an inevitable part of human existence. They are also one of the better parts. Feeling like part of a group — whether it’s your family, a sports team, or a company — is one of life’s deepest rewards. However, there are potential problems with groups.
Group Truth & Individual Truth
Because there is a strong desire to be understood and to be one with everyone else, individuals are tempted to not live in accordance with their truth. They stop speaking Truth. They stop forming their own opinions. They take on the personality and views of the group because not doing so means that they risk being expelled from the group, and that means a return to loneliness.
“The tranquillity that comes when you stop caring what they say. Or think. Or do. Only what you do.”
Marcus Aurelius
This is, of course, short-sighted because if you don’t live true to yourself, you can’t have deep inner peace. What you have is an artificial peace. Your body has peace, but your soul is in turmoil because you’re not living in accordance with your own nature.
