“Social scientists … have begun to think that “social animal” means “harmoniously belonging.””

—  Paul Goodman , book Growing Up Absurd

They do not like to think that fighting and dissenting are proper social functions, nor that rebelling or initiating fundamental change is a social function. Rather, if something does not run smoothly, they say it has been improperly socialized; there has been a failure in communication. … But perhaps there has not been a failure in communication. Perhaps the social message has been communicated clearly to the young men and is unacceptable. … We must ask the question, “Is the harmonious organization to which the young are inadequately socialized perhaps against human nature, or not worthy of human nature, and therefore there is difficulty in growing up?”
Source: Growing Up Absurd (1956), pp. 10-11.

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Paul Goodman 47
American novelist, playwright, poet and psychotherapist 1911–1972

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