Other Definitions
conformism (dict)
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ConformismConformism is the suspension of one's powers of reason in favor of obedience to the mandates of one's peer group. One of its manifestations is the practice of going along and getting along with people who are more powerful, and may well be best expressed in the old saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Conformism assumes that the easiest and hence best life is attained by doing one's very best to blend in with one's surroundings, and to do nothing eccentric or out of the ordinary in any way. By definition, conformism is the antithesis of both creativity and leadership, and hence of progress itself. Spirtual thinkers, such as the Islamist Dr. Hasan Askari, suggest that conformism should be countered by "waking up from the spell which our collective identity, whether it be of race or of religion has cast upon us." Inherently authoritarian institutions such as military organizations and organized religions tend to glorify and reinforce conformism, as do many large corporations. Their influence has both subconscious and overt aspects. Typically, calls for conformism and obedience to authority are couched in conservative terms to give the impression that their aim is the preservation of the status quo, often a mask for power grabs and the exercise of self-interest. See also: conformity, non-conformist, originality
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