Is Individuality the Cause of Our Suffering?

Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s)

Question: Because we’re unique we don’t fully agree with each other. If we were the same we’d all agree.  Wouldn’t this reduce suffering? Is individuality bad?

I don’t think so. Our individuality contributes so much to the world.  As a voice in conversations we bring perspective. As a person with particular talents, we compliment others. With differing ideals and preferences, we bring balance.

If we were all the same and all agreed, humans would have never survived.  Evolution tells us that diversity combined with natural selection is the recipe for success in adapting to our world.  Homogeneity is a recipe for extinction.

Our suffering lies in wanting and expecting homogeneity and permanence; the opposite of individuality.

Dialectic Two-Step  is an ongoing series of my thoughts on questions that come my way.

Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two. - Octavio

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