'Why do we follow the majority? It is because they have more reason? No, because they have more power.' - Blaise Pascal, Pensees
It has often been said,'the majority wins'. But why must the minority yield to the majority? Upon what basis should this be done? If the majority is of the opinion that good is evil and evil is good, would it be so? If the majority is convinced that cannibalism is perfectly moral, would it be morally acceptable to eat you?
The purpose of this short article would be to put forth the argument that there is no rational basis to obey the majority. It is not based on reason that we abide to the view of the majority. If this is so, then why is the majority view so often accepted? I believe that there are two reasons behind this.
Firstly, it is due the fact that we fear. We fear what is stronger than us. And the majority is stronger than the minority. The 'general will', a term I borrow from J. Rousseau, is homogeneous, and is not a representative of all. But since it exercise dominance over the minority, the minority would express acquiescence to the majority. In a sense, the minority is actually coerced to agree with the majority.
Secondly, and more importantly, it is due to the fact that we are creatures of our environment. We are shaped by our environment. We also generally assume that our environment is natural. And since the majority has power, it would be their views that shapes society. It would be the view of the majority which would be made to seem 'natural'. Thus, we accept the majority will merely because it is customary to do so. We do not question it for it seems so 'natural' to us.
As a conclusion, I would appeal to all to be critical of accepted traditions, majority views, etc. For only when we do so would there be a progress of the mind.
