Mass acceptance of a society does not make it rational or defensible

Evidence

The fact that the vast majority of the population accepts, and is made to accept, this society does not render it less irrational and less reprehensible. The distinction between true and false consciousness, real and immediate interest still is meaningful. But this distinction itself must be validated. Men must come to see it and to find their way from false to true consciousness, from their immediate to their real interest. They can do so only if they live in need of changing their way of life, of denying the positive, of refusing. It is precisely this need which the established society manages to repress to the degree to which it is capable of “delivering the goods” on an increasingly large scale, and using the scientific conquest of nature for the scientific conquest of man. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 93

Categorization

• XREF: The distinction between true and false consciousness is the key definitional tool for the one-dimensionality thesis; connects to the reader’s standing theme that consumption functions as control, since ‘delivering the goods’ represses the need to refuse. — connects to: Mass production really means producing the masses, not producing massively — Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation, 227; Disillusionment with failing paradigms does not free people from them. — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2: Identity…, 1037; Conformity benefits both individuals and societies and does not imply weakness — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 1899 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Disillusionment with failing paradigms does not free people from them. #complicates (0.75) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 1037
• Conformity benefits both individuals and societies and does not imply weakness #complicates (0.72) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1899