The Mob vs the Man

[ellenmillion]

Man, in groups, does not shine.

He gets swept up in righteous anger and giddy joy. He is enthused, and emotional, and easily led. He says things he later claims to regret.

Is man at fault for getting excited? For being judgmental and heated? Is he responsible for his actions?

Do we judge the mob, or do we judge the man?

We see the man only as a part of the mob, but the mob is not the sum of the men.

Comments

[kirinqueen.livejournal.com]

I wonder how this is addressed legally. Ultimately, an individual should be responsible for his actions, but if he is under the influence of something as unpredictable as a mob (as a mob often is), is he held accountable in the same way?

[curvature.livejournal.com]

I think there have been a couple of court cases where people tried to use mob frenzy as a defence - they were swept away by the emotions of the moment and woul d *never* do anything like that by themselves.
It didn't wash - they were simply tried separately as individuals.

[kirinqueen.livejournal.com]

That is a relief to know. The courts allow far too much "victimization" as it is.

Re:

[curvature.livejournal.com]

I think the rules need to be tougher for mob situation, especially when you get stuff like groups of people looting the small businesses and setting fire to cars and stuff just because they're upset about something.

[curvature.livejournal.com]

oooh I don't think I put that properly.
I meant I think they are tough because they need to be, not that they need to be tougher than they are..
Mind you, I can only comment about my own legal system and what I've seen on the news and such of other countries.

[kirinqueen.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I think the whole system would have to be drastically changed for it to really work better, but that's a whole 'nother ball of wax.