From a Culture of Egoism toward a Culture of Solidarity

Abstract

The author reflects on the phenomenon in contemporary society called the culture of egoism which has become the ideology of modern man. This ideology always excludes the other, the one who is different, because it is concerned with one–way egotistical activities based on domination. The result is division in society causing permanent conflict and ending, as a rule, in self–destruction. Instead of a culture of egoism, always ideology–based, a culture of solidarity is recommended as the way in which to live and work for one’s personal and also the common good. Here solidarity is understood and accepted as a basic value which evolves into a principle and a mandatory course of action. After all, it is solidarity, and not egoism, which is the expression of the social nature of the human being.