Literary notes about Unanimity (AI summary)
The term “unanimity” in literature has been used in a variety of contexts to denote everything from idealized social cohesion to the dangers of conformity. Philosophers such as Aristotle [1] and Rousseau [2][3] often invoke unanimity as an aspirational state—a collective harmony reflecting the general will—while thinkers like Santayana [4][5][6][7][8] explore its role in rational ethics and the uniformity of thought. At times, unanimity takes on a more critical flavor: in political and social commentary, it may signify a disconcerting totality of opinion that suppresses individual dissent, as seen in discussions about public discontent or authoritative control [9][10]. Even in fiction, the word is versatile, being used to personify rigid collectivism in works like Ayn Rand’s Anthem [11][12] or to capture the exuberance of communal celebration in passages by Scadding and Dickens [13][14]. Across scientific discourse [15][16][17] and even in poetic or metaphorical expressions [18][19][20], unanimity emerges as a multi-dimensional concept, reflecting both the ideal of absolute agreement and the potential perils of such conformity.
- I mean, Unanimity is somewhat like to Friendship, and this they certainly aim at and specially drive out faction as being inimical.
— from The Ethics of Aristotle by Aristotle - First, the more grave and important the questions discussed, the nearer should the opinion that is to prevail approach unanimity.
— from The Social Contract & Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - The more concert reigns in the assemblies, that is, the nearer opinion approaches unanimity, the greater is the dominance of the general will.
— from The Social Contract & Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Unanimity in thought involves identity of functions and similarity in organs.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - For if human nature were not one, there would be no propriety in requiring all men to preserve unanimity in faith or conformity in conduct.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - The range of rational ethics is limited to the intermediate political zone, in which existences have attained some degree of natural unanimity.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - Language is an artificial means of establishing unanimity and transferring thought from one mind to another.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - In proportion to their inbred unanimity these will cultivate a similar ideal and rejoice together in its embodiment.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana - No fact is more significant of the utter rottenness of the Spanish rule than the unanimity of the people in their discontent.
— from Lineage, Life and Labors of José Rizal, Philippine Patriot by Austin Craig - Now the penalty inflicted as an expiation is only a manifestation of the public anger, the material proof of its unanimity.
— from The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life by Émile Durkheim - "No, they shall be lashed," said Unanimity 7-3304, "till there is nothing left under the lashes.
— from Anthem by Ayn Rand - " "This would wreck the Plans of the World Council," said Unanimity 2-9913, "and without the Plans of the World Council the sun cannot rise.
— from Anthem by Ayn Rand - Never was such unanimity!
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding - Wonderful party, wonderful games, wonderful unanimity, won-der-ful happiness!
— from A Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens - In your opinion, was the situation in which language arose one of unanimity or diversity of attitude?
— from Introduction to the Science of Sociology by E. W. Burgess and Robert Ezra Park - To establish the unanimity of such various data, or to find out whether they have such unanimity, is not easy.
— from Criminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and Students by Hans Gross - The research upon acclimatization is considerable, although there is far from unanimity of opinion in regard to its findings.
— from Introduction to the Science of Sociology by E. W. Burgess and Robert Ezra Park - Someone burst into a roar of laughter, then gave a whistle; the dogs barked with even more noise and unanimity.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - Unanimity Phlox.
— from Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway - Phlox Unanimity.
— from Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway