hiddenhound3 said:I find myself grappling with a certain socio-philosophical dilemma, and I suspect this forum might be the ideal venue to solicit some deeper reflections on the matter.
The question is this: to what extent does the individual shape the prevailing mentality, and conversely, to what degree does that collective mentality mold the individual?
My inquiry was specifically prompted by a statement made by Kish: When everyone lies, no one is lying. When everything is a lie, nothing is a lie.
Is it truly possible to refrain from judging an individual for acts of theft, corruption, or other socially destructive behaviors that undermine our shared values?
Isn't it just dependent on the person?
Some people have more influence over their surroundings and end up shifting the local mentality—we won't get into how that works right now—while others are easily swayed, so the environment changes them instead. Isn't that just how it is?
Plus, aren't there countless different levels to how these things interact?