The New State · Chapter
XI: The Self-and-Others Illusion explained
This chapter argues that the distinction between self and others is an illusion; true social progress comes from recognizing the community principle that synthesizes self and others into a whole.
What happens
This chapter argues that the distinction between self and others is an illusion; true social progress comes from recognizing the community principle that synthesizes self and others into a whole. The author critiques altruism as a form of individualism and advocates for a 'whole-imperative' where decisions are based on the good of the entire community, not on individual or altruistic motives. The chapter also discusses how this principle transforms ideas of service, sacrifice, and democracy, emphasizing that subordination to the whole is an act of assertion and self-fulfillment.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Individualism and Particularism
The chapter directly critiques altruism as a form of individualism and argues that the self-and-others fallacy leads to harmful dualisms, advocating instead for a whole-imperative.
Integration of Occupational and Neighborhood Groups
The principle of thinking in wholes is applied to local and national interests, suggesting that true service to a small unit (like a town) leads to service to the larger whole (the nation).
Education for Social Citizenship and Group Life
The chapter implies that people must learn to think in wholes, as seen in the critique of the Boston girl's education in altruism and the need for a new social ideal.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The narrator reflects on the self-and-others illusion, using personal anecdotes (e.g., the Boston girl) to illustrate the fallacy of altruism and the need for a whole-imperative.
- We the People
Referenced as the collective 'we' who are slowly purged of particularistic desires and come to realize human solidarity, especially through the war.
- Mr. B
Not directly mentioned, but the chapter discusses the behavior of men in Washington lobbies working for their state or town, which could be exemplified by figures like Mr. B from earlier chapters.
Key passages
“If I go to have a talk with a mother about her daughter, I cannot appeal to the mother, the daughter, or my own wishes, only to that higher creation which we three make when we come together.”
In any interaction, the guiding principle should be the shared community formed by all participants, not individual desires.
Illustrates the community principle as a searchlight for all life.
“The man who works hardest and most truly for Millfield and Ohio will probably when he comes to Washington work most truly for the interests, not of Millfield and Ohio, but of the United States, because he has learned the first lesson of life—to think in wholes.”
Genuine local service naturally extends to national service because it is based on thinking in terms of the whole.
Contrasts parochial self-interest with holistic thinking.
“We do not walk into the Kingdom of Heaven one by one.”
Salvation or moral progress is collective, not individual.
Emphasizes the interdependence of moral and social hygiene.