Philosophy Quote by René Guénon
““This now leads us to elucidate more precisely the error of the idea that the majority should make the law, because, even though this idea must remain theoretical - since it does not correspond to an effective reality - it is necessary to explain how it has taken root in the modern outlook, to which of its tendencies it corresponds, and which of them - at least in appearance - it satisfies. Its most obvious flaw is the one we have just mentioned: the opinion of the majority cannot be anything but an expression of incompetence, whether this be due to lack of intelligence or to ignorance pure and simple; certain observations of 'mass psychology' might be quoted here, in particular the widely known fact that the aggregate of mental reactions aroused among the component individuals of a crowd crystallizes into a sort of general psychosis whose level is not merely not that of the average, but actually that of the lowest elements present.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Crisis of the Modern World, 1927
The majority’s opinion often reflects collective ignorance rather than expertise, leading to poor decision‑making.
In simple terms: Crowd opinion can be incompetent.
Question majority decisions critically.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political voting
- corporate boards
- public policy
- media narratives
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies safeguard against collective incompetence?
- What mechanisms ensure expert input in governance?
Majority rule can mask the views of the truly knowledgeable.