Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 13. 12th June 1975
Facing The Issue
Facing The Issue
A resistance to the trend of group thinking a collective evil depends on a reversal of the above considerations. At the moment, the extremes are the predominant factors — either collectivism or individualism with the results of potential over-control or chaos. There should instead be a unifying factor to allow some sense of identity, but not too much. The group should be able to remain 'humble in spirit' so that they never become giantists in the modern sense. Responsibility for an action should remain with an individual, so no group could overthrow the individual's judgement.
But how would this ideal be achieved? Firstly by not being an idealist — we cannot destroy the evils merely by denouncing or exposing evil, as this may become an evil in itself. However, there may be constructed certain pre-requisites for combating collective evil — personal integrity; a corporate demonstration — an individual is relatively ineffective to fight an institutionalised evil, but a group can present a clear alternative and offer critical discussion; a creative education — to filter out the influences imposed by the institutionalised 'norms'; and constructive legislation.