Community Quote by Georges Bataille
“The emotional element which gives an obsessive value to communal existence is death.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Accursed Share", 1949
Death gives communal life an obsessive value, making existence hinge on the awareness of mortality.
In simple terms: Death makes community valuable.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge mortality to appreciate social bonds.
Themes
mortality
community
obsession
existence
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- rituals
- memorials
- shared mourning
Key Concepts
anthropology
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does mortality shape social cohesion?
- What rituals help balance this obsession?
A Different Perspective
Obsessive focus on death can cause nihilism.
![“[F]or academic men to be happy, the universe would have to take shape. All of philosophy has no other goal: it is a matter of giving a frock coat to what is, a mathematical frock coat. On the other hand, affirming that the universe resembles nothing and is only formless amounts to saying that the…” quote by Georges Bataille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d5d/georges-bataille-3741_academic_f-or-academic-men-to-be-happy-the-univer_156790.jpg)
![“[Zarathustra] never abandoned the watchword of not having any end, not serving a cause, because, as he knew, causes pluck off the wings we fly with.” quote by Georges Bataille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7df/georges-bataille-3741_abandoned_zarathustra-never-abandoned-the-watchwor_257983.jpg)
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
