Individualism: Quotation

"I don't envisage collectivism. There is no such animal, it is always individualism, sometimes the rest vote and sometimes they do not, and if they do they do and if they do not they do not."  (Gertrude Stein)

     I found this quote particularly relevant to every Canadian federal election for the past few years. The media has reported the number of voters who actually participate in this process is dropping faster and faster every year. I chose this quote because, in my opinion, Gertrude Stein understands that individualism encourages members of the society that wish to vote, to vote; and allows the less willing (and/or the ignorant) to not vote if they so choose. In this way, the individuals who do vote are probably well aware of their own values and ideologies, and are well informed so that their vote is the most representative of who they are, and what they wish the future would hold. This quote is also pleasant as it addresses individual freedoms as well; the freedom to participate if that's the individual choice. Making certain things, such as voting, compulsory may increase the number of voters at the polls; but will also increase misinformed, on the spur choices as a result. If that were the case, the intention may not result in the best outcomes. Therefore, in the same scenario, allowing individuals the right to choose whether or not they would participate is benefiting the society more than taking away that right (and thus making it compulsory) would.

Collectivism: Quotation

"Reaching consensus in a group is often confused with finding the right answer." (Norman Mailer)

"Standardization of our educational systems is apt to stamp out individualism and defeat the very ends of education by leveling the product down rather than up. " (Harvey Cushing)

     To be honest, I had a difficult time narrowing down my choices to just one quote. SO HERE THEY ARE :D ALL THREE OF THEM IN THEIR GLORIOUSLY LARGE FONTS AND ETC. I believe that each of these quotes deserves a write up to follow it, but due to time constraints, my response will be focused on von Hayek's quote:

 "The principle that the end justifies the means is in individualist ethics regarded as the denial of all morals. In collectivist ethics it becomes necessarily the supreme rule." (Frederich August von Hayek)

     Frederich August von Hayek has essentially hit the mark in terms of describing collectivism in under three sentences. He acknowledges that the principle of "the end justifies the means" exists, and he clearly explains what that means to a collectivist and what that means to an individualist.