--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Societies tell themselves necessary…" description: "\"“Societies tell themselves necessary fictions in the same way that individuals and families do. Henrik Ibsen called them “vital lies,” and psychologist..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/naomi-wolf-1344_family_societies-tell-themselves-necessary-fict_258219.jpg" --- # Societies tell themselves necessary fictions in the same… ![“Societies tell themselves necessary fictions in the same way that individuals and families do. Henrik Ibsen called them “vital lies,” and psychologist Daniel Goleman describes them working the same way on the social level that they do within families: “The collusion is maintained by directing…” quote by Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/naomi-wolf-1344_family_societies-tell-themselves-necessary-fict_258219.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/naomi-wolf-1344_family_societies-tell-themselves-necessary-fict_258219.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/naomi-wolf-1344_family_societies-tell-themselves-necessary-fict_258219.jpg) > ““Societies tell themselves necessary fictions in the same way that individuals and families do. Henrik Ibsen called them “vital lies,” and psychologist Daniel Goleman describes them working the same way on the social level that they do within families: “The collusion is maintained by directing attention away from the fearsome fact, or by repackaging its meaning in an acceptable format.” The costs of these social blind spots, he writes, are destructive communal illusions.”” [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societies create comforting myths, or vital lies, to mask harsh realities, leading to destructive collective delusions. **In simple terms:** Societies tell comforting lies. Key Takeaway Question and challenge shared narratives. Themes myths social narratives psychological defense collective denial truth seeking Mood critical analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political discourse - family counseling - media analysis Key Concepts social psychology cultural studies critical theory Questions to Reflect On - What “vital lies” exist in your community? - How can you reframe uncomfortable facts constructively? A Different Perspective Blind acceptance can perpetuate harmful outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communal Illusions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communal-illusions-2551374/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [Necessary Fictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessary-fictions-2551375/) [Societies Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/societies-tell-1826372/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Vital Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vital-lies-2551373/) ## Related quotes > [Both individuals and societies tell themselves stories to simplify and make sense of the messy chaos of reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-curtis/both-individuals-and-societies-tell-themselves-stories-to-simplify/) [Adam Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-curtis/) > [The DMK and the Communists may have the habit of lying, but I don't come from a family that lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamilisai-soundararajan/the-dmk-and-the-communists-may-have-the-habit-of-lying-but-i-don-t/) [Tamilisai Soundararajan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamilisai-soundararajan/) > [“I'm over your lies and I'm over your games. 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