"Alienation as our present destiny is achieved only by outrageous violence perpetrated by human beings on human beings"

R. D. Laing, a popular Scottish psychiatrist, was known for his crucial views on the nature of mental disorder, the social standards that define sanity, and the human condition in general. The quote, "Alienation as our present destiny is achieved only by outrageous violence perpetrated by humans on humans", is a reflection of his viewpoint on how societal structures and interpersonal dynamics add to private and collective alienation.

The term "alienation" refers to a sense of estrangement or disconnection from oneself, others, or the larger society. In this context, Laing is arguing that such alienation is not an unavoidable human condition however an outcome of extreme and unfair actions that humans inflict on each other. By utilizing the expression "outrageous violence", Laing stresses the seriousness and impactful nature of these actions, recommending that they are grievous misbehaviors that go beyond physical violence. This violence can be comprehended as systemic and structural, manifesting in political injustice, social oppression, and financial exploitation, along with in the more subtle psychological and emotional abuses that individuals may experience in their individual relationships and interactions with social organizations.

Laing's perspective implies that alienation is both an item and a perpetuator of a cycle of violence: it emerges from human actions and attitudes that dehumanize and marginalize, and in turn, it fosters further violence by creating communities and individuals who are disconnected, disenfranchised, and desperate. This view challenges societies to think about how their hidden worths, organizations, and daily practices add to alienation and to question what it means to be genuinely connected and understanding people. By attending to these pushing away structures and interactions, Laing proposes the potential to cultivate a sense of authentic community and individual wholeness, therefore breaking the cycle of violence and alienation.