Only man as an individual human being lives; the state is just a system, a mere machine for sorting and tabulating the masses. Anyone, therefore, who thinks in terms of men minus the individual, in huge numbers, atomizes himself and becomes a thief and a robber to himself. He is infected with the leprosy of collective thinking and has become an inmate of that insalubrious stud-farm called the totalitarian State. Our
The quote emphasizes the importance of individualism in contrast to the collective identity often created by state mechanisms. It suggests that when people view themselves solely as part of a vast group, they lose their individuality and agency. This collective mindset can lead to a dehumanizing perspective, where individuals become mere cogs in a larger system, ultimately robbing themselves of their unique identities.
Jung warns against the dangers of totalitarianism, implying that such systems can lead to a loss of personal freedom and self-awareness. He characterizes the state as a machine that categorizes people, rather than recognizing them as unique beings. By succumbing to collective thinking, individuals may find themselves trapped in a conformist mindset, sacrificing their individuality for societal belonging.
