Journeeman.

Introduction:

I’ve lost confidence in justice. Not in the ideal of justice itself – the yearning for fairness, for rightness, for a world where truth prevails – but in our ability, as flawed, fallible humans, to consistently and reliably achieve it, especially at the collective, systemic level. Our conversations have led me to see that the very forces that shape our societies – the gravitational pull of the crowd, the need for collective cohesion, the inherent biases within institutions – often work against the pure pursuit of truth and fairness. This realization has propelled me to explore a different path, one that begins not with the grand pronouncements of societal systems, but with the individual’s courageous, often solitary, upward push against the forces that threaten to flatten us all. For if true justice is to be found, perhaps it must first be forged within the crucible of individual agency, in the relentless effort to embody a truth that the crowd may never fully grasp. 

We live in a world that often celebrates the collective – the group, the community, the tribe. From political movements to social trends, the narrative frequently emphasizes belonging, conformity, and the power of the masses. Yet, I find myself increasingly drawn to a different path, one that prioritizes the individual’s agency and their courageous struggle against the natural pull of the collective. I would rather push up against gravity than be reduced by it, for true strength and resilience come not from subjection, but from resistance.

My rejection of collectivism, in its pervasive forms, stems from a deep-seated belief that the most profound truths and the most meaningful existence are found not in the crowd, but in the individual’s conscious, existential pursuit. This isn’t a denial of our natural sociability; rather, it’s a recognition that true human flourishing requires a deliberate effort – an upward push against the downward force that threatens to flatten us.

The Natural Pull: Gravity and the Crowd

We are, by nature, social animals. This is an undeniable truth, rooted in our biology and sociology. There’s a powerful, almost gravitational force that pulls us towards greater masses – towards the collective narrative, the prevailing opinion, the comfort of shared identity. This force, much like gravity, is natural. It’s the force that makes an apple fall from its tree, a leaf detach from its branch, or, in its more destructive manifestation, can pull an individual into the crushing weight of conformity and mediocrity.

This is the essence of collectivism. It offers a sense of belonging, a shared reality, and a reduction of individual burden. However, when this natural pull becomes overwhelming, it can lead to a dangerous “dumbing down.” As Søren Kierkegaard, a philosopher I deeply resonate with, observed, the crowd encourages a diffusion of responsibility and a flight from the anxiety and commitment of individual existence. In the crowd, our identity can become less our own and more a reflection of the group’s will. We risk becoming mere echo points, susceptible to the contagion of ideas that may be convenient or popular, but lack existential truth.

When I speak of collectivism’s gravitational force, I’m not just referring to abstract political ideologies like globalism or multiculturalism, which I find problematic precisely because they often impose collective identities and narratives that can stifle individual autonomy. I’m also referring to the subtler, yet equally potent, forces within religious denominations, academic institutions, and even social media bubbles. These are environments where the “crowd” can dictate a version of reality, and deviation from it can lead to social exclusion or the questioning of one’s belonging.

The Unnatural Effort: Lifting Up and Individual Maturation

What is not natural, in the way that gravity is, is the individual maturational process required to develop agency and critical consciousness. This is the conscious, willful effort of “lifting something up” against the natural downward pull. It’s the deliberate act of developing the muscle of resilience, endurance, and critical thinking.

This is where my Christian existentialist perspective comes into play. In this framework, sin can be understood as that gravitational force – the inherent tendency towards fallenness, selfishness, and separation from a higher truth. Grace, then, is not merely passive favor, but the empowering force that provides the strength, courage, and resilience to resist this downward pull. It’s the divine enablement for the individual to engage in that “upward push.”

Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection can be seen as the ultimate embodiment of this struggle. He faced the gravitational pull of human sin, fear, and flawed systems, enduring false accusations and the ultimate natural consequence of death. Yet, through his resurrection and ascension, he demonstrated a power that transcends natural forces, offering a new reality – a “new creation” – where the upward push against gravity is not only possible but ultimately triumphant. This is the very essence of pushing against the natural forces; it is the point of new creation.

Subjective Truth: Embodied and Owned

Kierkegaard’s concept of subjective truth is crucial here. It’s not about arbitrary emotionalism, but about truth that is embodied. It’s objective in its content (e.g., historical facts), but it becomes truth for me only when it is passionately embraced, lived out, and integrated into my very being. It’s truth that is owned by the individual through commitment and struggle, not simply accepted as an objective fact or a crowd-approved opinion. This embodied truth “spills out” into our actions and our way of being, shaping our reality.

This is why I believe focusing energy on the maturation of the individual is paramount. When individuals develop this capacity for embodied, subjective truth – when they build the “muscle” of agency and resilience – the collective benefits naturally. Mature individuals, engaged in their own existential journey, will naturally contribute to healthier social dynamics. Small group dynamics, where individuals can authentically engage and support each other’s growth, become vital bridges to larger societal interactions.

The Real Divide: Collectivism vs. Individualism

The political and cultural divisions we see today, often framed as left versus right, are, in my view, a superficial representation of a deeper conflict: collectivism versus individualism. The traditional political spectrum often masks the fundamental tension between those who prioritize the collective (state, group identity, social cohesion) and those who prioritize the individual (autonomy, liberty, personal responsibility).

When we overemphasize the collective, we risk flattening existence, degenerating into mediocrity, and losing the richness that comes from individual struggle and discovery. We risk robbing ourselves, and particularly younger generations, of the opportunity to learn and develop genuine critical thinking, instead fostering an environment where ideas spread like contagion through unexamined groupthink.

Conclusion: The Upward Push

My argument, therefore, is not a rejection of human sociability, but a profound belief in the necessity of individual agency and maturation within that sociability. The natural pull of gravity – of collectivism, of conformity, of sin – is powerful. But it is in the effort of lifting up, in the conscious resistance against that downward force, that we build resilience, discover embodied truth, and create a richer, more meaningful existence. It is this upward push, this existential commitment, that offers the true hope for a better world, not by succumbing to the natural flow, but by courageously striving against it.