A group is defined as a set of two or more persons who interact because they recognise themselves or part of themselves in each other or because they pursue a common goal. Not insignificant is the idea or feeling to belong to the group and to be accepted by her. The group as a whole has an identity in its perception and in the perception of the others outside the group.
Being part of a group is seen by the group itself, but also in general as the highest good. Operating for the purpose of the common goal and going together for that purpose and making sacrifices for it is seen as forming character.
A football team might be a good example. A team is defined as the close cooperation of a whole within which the qualities of the, in this case individual players, are appreciated for what they are, as a utility to the larger whole and the goal of the group, the team. Which coincides with winning as many games as possible and ends as high as possible in the competition in which one plays, at least when there is a payment of football.
In our collective society, the individual is subordinate to the importance of the state, church, association or the company in which one may, unexpectedly, find oneself. There is hardly room for those who disagree. Taking a stand or developing a vision is soon perceived as threatening to the collective and should be crushed. Anytime, anytime. You can also see this dynamic within a circle of friends.
A truly authentic personal individual development is a tear away from the environment or the web in which one is located. It is a struggle that never seems to be fought and a lonely road, when one is not in a group of like-minded individuals.
Many people at this time have an innate gene it seems to be for solidarity and subjugation of one's own interests, the individual development in this case, and are willing to conform far to the prevailing mores. At least until the bomb bursts once. Sometimes it turns out to be enough and someone or a group separates themselves from the larger whole, which can lead to Kafkaian situations with sometimes serious, threatening situations. Not least for the rebellion.
The ideal of the group, the freedom of all or at least the greater or higher general interest can therefore also be perceived as very oppressive, unfree and restrictive. The greater good lies, however, for some, if not many, in the pursuit of personal ideals, whether inside or outside the whole of conventions or agreements agreed by others. It seems that the ideal of the group is slowly crumbling or that the Inclusiveness of groups is becoming increasingly limited.
