if we all have "shards of the one" in us can we individually achieve greatness alone?

Question

Or is our only hope of attaining supreme power giving up our individuality to the greater whole?

Answer 1

I like the phrase "shards of one" and do not like when people qualify their answers with their claimed education background as somehow giving them authority on a topic. I'd say never listen to someone who does that...



But please, did you originate the phrase, "shards of one" or if not, who did? Because I would like to use it again sometime and want to give the originater their just due. Thanks.



Oh, and why do you want supreme power? Aren't two or even threes minds generally better than one when solving problems - or acheiving 'greatness'?

Answer 2

I don't believe that we all have 'shards of the one' from your simple discription of it. Maybe I never covered that concept in my philosophy classes and am crazy, but I am unawear of what you're talking about.



I DO believe that greatness obtained from a group is superior to individual greatness. (One of Humanities greatest assets is it's ability to form communities. Art, communication, learning... none of them can be accomplished alone.)



To Chris M:



'and do not like when people qualify their answers with their claimed education background as somehow giving them authority on a topic. '



Doesn't being knowledgable about a topic give you a better ability to speak on it? I can't tell you a single thing about Nascar, for example, because I don't know anything about it. In this question, like if I asked a question about NASCAR, I would point not to my education background on the topic but rather my LACK of knowledge. Read what I wrote, I didn't discredit his statement, I said that I did not understand his concept. I then went on to give my personal beliefs as related to what I THOUGHT he was talking about.



Serriously, chill.

Answer 3

i thought "the one" you meant was G-O-D coz i do believe that He makes up a great part of our identities and is neccessary for individual progression...



however, in terms of being a part of "the greater whole," i believe that one cannot attain greatness when he/she is all alone. whether or whether not you acknowledge it, there will always be that someone or those few people who will help you get to where you wish to be.

Answer 4

The individual achieves greatness for the all.



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