Dogma

One of the key features of human society is the ability to cooperate with total strangers. For example, coworkers are not likely to have met before starting their jobs, but none the less are able to work towards a common goal. People from the same nation feel a kinship with one another even though they have never met. The same goes for religion and ethnicity.

Some of these bonds are stronger than others. While big box store employees may or may not feel a connection with each other, people from the same church will likely sacrifice a great deal for one another. Part of this binding agent is the shared identity of those involved.

This shared identity has been manipulated by those who wish to create a more cohesive society. Extremist groups often have a very simple if unrealistic view of the world. However, this simplicity allows many people to identify with that ideology, and creates a very strong bond between people with otherwise nothing in common. The communists during the 20th century were great exploiters of this fact. Modern day radical Islamists are similarly able to forge strong bonds and loyalties.

While it is easy for people with less attachment to reality to come up with simple philosophies for people to rally around, the more same people of the world should not ignore the power of shared philosophy. Defining one that is both easy to understand and support yet also appeals to our higher aspirations over our base instincts is not a simple task, but such a philosophy would help bring together the sensible people of the world against insanity.