One reason a person would want to be a part of a separate group away from the rest of humanity is because they have a superiority/inferiority complex.
These two qualities are quite similar to what Socrates said about pain and pleasure. They are joined at the hip --- you cannot have one without the other.
Now, let me state that, as long as it's used constructively --- I don't think there is
anything wrong with having a superiority/inferiority complex. In fact, I think having one can
lead to a state of creativity. The alien-ation that is brought about from the chaos of the "dis-order" leads to a heightened state of sensitivity and
awareness.
That being said... one must not forget that reality always presents us with double-edged swords. The other side of the superiority/inferiority complex is blindness. Nature doesn't grant people inferior qualities without also
giving them some superior characteristics, nor superior without
inferior.
Once we see this for what it is... an epistemological or knowledge problem... we can begin to understand the problem with having a superiority/inferiority complex in an inclusive and separated group that mirrors many of our own beliefs.
If this group has a large amount of money,
that means they have a lot of power --- at least in this day and age. If this is true, this also means they have a lot of political and technological power. If we acknowledge these points, we see how we could have a possible recipe for a nightmare.
Does this mean that we should embrace the
alternative view that all people are equal? No. This idea also has grave limitations.
This doesn't contradict the political philosophies of the enlightenment that sought to grant people POLITICAL FREEDOM. In fact, it is precisely what is most needed in the real world.
Political freedom is most needed because of one reason....
PEOPLE ARE NOT EQUAL. They are different, and it's because of this that each should be granted political equality to flourish, to
PURSUE eudaemonia.
No one puts it better than Emerson in this paragraph:
There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the
conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he
must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though
the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can
come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground
which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new
in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor
does he know until he has tried. Not for nothing one face, one
character, one fact, makes much impression on him, and another none.
This sculpture in the memory is not without preestablished harmony.
The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify
of that particular ray. We but half express ourselves, and are
ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. It may be
safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be
faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by
cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into
his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise,
shall give him no peace. It is a deliverance which does not deliver.
In the attempt his genius deserts him; no muse befriends; no
invention, no hope.
This is also why the idea behind the United States was such a unique one. Unfortunately, most Americans just mouth or "act" like they care about it today.
The reality is, most Americans will give up their freedom for security.
The security of a paycheck--- no matter who they are taking it from or what they have to do or say to get it.
The security of a group --- no matter how much that group does things that are distasteful or that violate what one thinks is wrong.
The security of a reputation--- no matter how phony it is.
As long as Americans are like this --- they will continue to piss away one of the greatest political projects that has ever been developed in human history.
They will continue down the inevitable road of degeneration where they are HUMANLY equal rather than politically free. A road of "self" love and "self" glorification that is bought through the words, smiles and flattery of others. They will pave their souls flat with what is acknowledged to bring happiness by public opinion.
