Why do we no longer believe in the greatness of man, or the potential great abilities of man, mankind, or a single individual? Some theories:

“Thou shalt be small!”

Nowadays we are no longer allowed to become great. To become big. To grow, to gain ascendancy, and to become bigger than others around you.

Non-small

To be small is bad. Even Aristotle said that a small woman couldn’t be beautiful. In the past, big was equated with good, great, beautiful, and chosen. Small was seen with suspicion, hate, and discrimination.

Magnanimous

The Aristotle idea of becoming the “megalopsychos”— the mega (big) soul (psychos).