This quote suggests that being part of a larger group, such as a conspiracy or an army, can absolve individuals of feeling personally responsible for their actions. In such settings, decisions are often made collectively adn actions are carried out in the name of the group rather than the individual. This shared responsibility can lead to individuals feeling detached from their actions as they perceive them as orders or directives from the group.
in essence, this quote is about diffusion of responsibility – a sociopsychological phenomenon where people are less likely to take action or feel a sense of personal accountability when surrounded by others. This is because they believe someone else will step up, or because they feel less individually responsible for collective action.
Applying this idea in today’s world could involve looking at how it plays out in various social structures like corporations, political parties, online communities etc. For instance, within corporations employees might not feel personally accountable for unethical business practices if those decisions were made at higher levels or if ‘everyone else’ was doing it.
In terms of personal progress, understanding this concept can help individuals better recognize and resist these pressures.It encourages maintaining personal integrity even within larger groups and emphasizes the importance of individual action and responsibility nonetheless of context. It also highlights how significant it is indeed for leaders to foster an environment where every member feels personally invested and accountable.