Apart from the agglomeration of huge masses in which the individual disappears anyway, one of the chief factors responsible for psychological mass-mindedness is scientific rationalism, which robs the individual of his foundations and his dignity. As a social unit he has lost his individuality and become a mere abstract number in the bureau of statistics. He can only play the role of an interchangeable unit of infinitesimal importance. Looked at rationally and from outside, that is exactly what he is, and from this point of view it seems positively absurd to go on talking about the value or meaning of the individual.
In C.G. Jung's work, "The Undiscovered Self," he discusses the phenomenon of mass-mindedness, highlighting how large groups can lead individuals to lose their unique identities. Scientific rationalism plays a significant role in this process, as it diminishes the individual’s sense of dignity and reduces him to a mere statistic. In the eyes of society, individuals become interchangeable units, stripped of their personal significance. This perspective suggests that, rationally observed, what remains of individual worth seems almost absurd.
The loss of individuality underlines a deeper concern about how society values people. As people blend into the masses, their unique qualities are overshadowed, leading to a sense of worthlessness in a broader context. Jung implies that this trend toward uniformity challenges the inherent value and meaning of each person. Ultimately, his analysis calls for a reevaluation of how we view individuality in a mechanized and rationalized world.
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