Worldliness of the Majority
The Worldliness of the Majority is a book by George Bernard Shaw that explores the idea of conformity and how it affects society. The book argues that people often follow the majority without questioning their beliefs or actions, leading to a lack of individualism and creativity. It also discusses the dangers of groupthink and how it can lead to negative consequences for both individuals and society as a whole.
By George Bernard Shaw · First published 1903 · Genre: Philosophical, Social Commentary, Satire · 470 words
First lines
The first common mistake to get rid of is that mankind consists of a great mass of religious people and a few eccentric atheists. It consists of a huge mass of worldly people, and a small percentage of persons deeply interested in religion and concerned about their own souls and other peoples'; and this section consists mostly of those who are passionately affirming the established religion and those who are passionately attacking it, the genuine philosophers being very few. Thus you never have a nation of millions of Wesleys and one Tom Paine. You have a million Mr. Worldly Wisemans, one Wesley, with his small congregation, and one Tom Paine, with his smaller congregation. The passionately religious are a people apart; and if they were not hopelessly outnumbered by the worldly, they would turn the world upside down, as St. Paul was reproached, quite justly, for wanting to do. Few people can number among their personal acquaintances a single atheist or a single Plymouth Brother.
What this Textopian page supports
Worldliness of the Majority is listed on Textopian as a play by George Bernard Shaw, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: George Bernard Shaw
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical, Social Commentary, Satire, Religious, Essay
- Length: 470 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Worldliness of the Majority by George Bernard Shaw
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Worldliness of the Majority?
- How does this play by George Bernard Shaw fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Whats Wrong With The World by G. K. Chesterton
- The Secret Society Of Mankind by G. K. Chesterton
- The New Freethinker by G. K. Chesterton
- Civilization by George Bernard Shaw
- The Empire Of The Ignorant by G. K. Chesterton
- The Chartered Libertine by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Philosophical — The text explores deep philosophical themes about religion, society, and human nature.
- Social Commentary — It provides a critique of societal norms and the behavior of the majority in relation to religion and morality.
- Satire — The writing style uses irony and wit to criticize the worldly nature of society and its superficial morality.
- Religious — The content discusses religious beliefs and the contrast between true believers and the worldly majority.
Tags
society · morality · philosophy · critique · human nature · class struggle · individualism · socialism · politics · ethics · cultural commentary · realism