The Shape of Democracy to Evolve in Future
By discovering the importance of the individual, the individualistic age has brought two highly influential ideas to the forefront that will shape the future.
The first of these widely accepted ideas is the democratic principle that all members of society have the right to reach their full potential and live a fulfilling life. A just society cannot be built on an unequal foundation where privileged groups have access to all the benefits and development opportunities, while others are restricted to serving them. This idea has gained widespread acceptance among progressive nations and forms the foundation for many of the current social reforms we see around the world.
Secondly, Individualism has also revealed this deeper truth: a person is more than just a cog in the social machine. In other words, a person's value extends beyond their role in society. Their right and ability to live and grow are not solely determined by their social role or function. Far from being simply a cog in a vast human machine, a drone in a buzzing hive, or a nameless worker in an anthill, each individual holds a distinct essence within them. They are a soul, a being with a unique purpose, obligated to pursue their own personal truth and destiny, all while playing their part – chosen or natural – within the greater web of existence.
The individual, according to this deeper truth, craves not just a place within the social machine, but a sphere of freedom for the very essence of their being. This essence encompasses their soul, their unique nature, and that powerful and magnificent force – individual thought, will, and conscience. These are the very aspects that society, often with suspicion, has historically attempted to either completely suppress or confine to the realm of the purely spiritual.
However, this individual yearning for freedom doesn't necessitate dissolving entirely into a dominant social consciousness.
The ideal isn't a singular, homogenized thought, will, and conscience imposed upon everyone. Instead, it's about achieving a harmonious whole that transcends the limitations of the individual. This necessitates a space where both the individual and the collective can flourish. There must be an environment that allows and even encourages everyone to freely contribute their unique essence to this larger tapestry.
This concept, a truth with profound implications, has garnered intellectual recognition in Europe, where its outward and readily grasped significance has been readily embraced. Interestingly, at its core, it aligns remarkably with the deepest spiritual philosophies of Asia. This confluence of Eastern and Western thought suggests a powerful unifying principle that has the potential to significantly shape the future of humanity.
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Inspired from Sri Aurobindo
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