The Tower of Babel: Massification, Individuality and Empathy in Large Societies and in Small groups ¹

The Tower of Babel usually appears as a story about the sin of hubris and its punishment. Instead, I wish to argue that this story is about a young society that underwent a tremendous trauma only a few generations previously in the flood—and is unconsciously trying to defend itself from future catastrophes by one-ness, massification and unanimity—one language, one opinion, and one state. In contrast to the people of Babel, group analysis teaches us how to welcome, contain and grow through the reinforcement of the variety of opinions and freedom of mind of individuals. I think the story of Babel is of social consequence, and has echoes in contemporary large society, as well as within small therapeutic groups.