Carl Jung on the Individual and Society
Letters of C. G. Jung: Volume 2, 1951-1961
To Hans A . Illing
Dear Dr. Illing, 10 February 1955
I give the adaptation of the individual to society its full due.
But I still stand up for the inalienable rights of the individual since alone is the carrier of life and is gravely threatened by the social leveling process today.
Even in the smallest group he is acceptable only if he appears acceptable to the majority of its members.
He has to resign himself to being tolerated.
But mere toleration is no improvement; on the contrary, it fosters self-doubt, to which the isolated individual who has something to espouse is particularly prone.
I am no preacher of “splendid isolation” and have the greatest difficulty in shielding myself from the crushing demands of people and human relationships.
Without values of one’s own even social relationships lack significance.
Yours sincerely,
C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. II, Page 221.
