Individualism is a worldview that emphasizes the primary importance of the individual and personal independence. The French word “individualisme” is derived from the Latin “individuum” - “indivisible”. It is opposed to collectivism, the practice and ideology of limiting the individual by society. Individualism is a term of social psychology, since its development in an individual is directly related to the factors of society. This concept postulates that the interests of society are inferior to the interests of the individuals consisting of it.
Despite the long-term propaganda of the principle of individualism, it cannot be called prevailing, given its dependence on economic prerequisites. During the Soviet period, this principle was considered a manifestation of antisocial egoism, and collectivism was the dominant state ideology. The lack of experience in the harmonious relationship of these principles became the reason for the widespread dissemination of the concept of social Darwinism, the slogan “survival of the fittest”, taken out of context, led to a criminal revolution that compromised market reforms.
Individualism: concept and characteristics
An important stage in the development of philosophical thought was the period when individualism arose in philosophy. From Latin the term “individualism” is translated as “indivisible, individual.” The term means a worldview that proclaims the primacy of the personal over the social, of a specific individual and his interests over the opinions and hobbies of a group or collective. The appearance of this view arose as an awareness of one’s own independence, independence, and value as a unique being. This creature turned out to be separated from other people, society, nature, as well as from the divine principle, embodied in one image or another. Within the framework of individualism, concepts such as:
- Personality is defined as a subject born and developing in a social environment and acquiring the necessary social qualities. The institution in which the personality develops is the family, later these are organizations such as schools, universities, informal organizations, etc.
- Individuality is a set of characteristics and properties of a person that only he possesses and which distinguish him from other people. This includes biological parameters, socially acquired and psychological characteristics.
These terms can be used in the same context; they are interrelated, but not identical to each other.
Cultural aspect
The culture of individualism itself plays a very important role, which, in fact, keeps this worldview afloat. Thanks to the fact that over the centuries our society becomes more like a flock ruled by one shepherd, it is improving.
This is manifested both in everyday life (improving living conditions, inventions in the field of technology) and in traditions (for example, a modern person will not be laughed at because he did not celebrate the vernal equinox, or his front door will not be tarred if he cheated on his wife). The development of a culture of individualism makes it possible for many artists and writers to “break through.” Our cultural society is beginning to take shape from full-fledged thinking individuals who can find a compromise with each other without abandoning their personal principles.
Prerequisites and emergence of individualism
Already in the time of Socrates, thoughts were expressed regarding the understanding and need to determine who an individual is. A little later, in the Hellenistic era, individualistic views became more widespread. Representatives of the school of Stoicism considered life in harmony with nature and observance of its laws to be a blessing for man. There was no mention of the value of groups or communities. The Middle Ages proclaimed the individuality of the individual, but only in its relation to the divine: everyone is equal before God, everyone carries within himself a part of divine power. Devotion to a higher power was beyond doubt, although the same Calvinism placed full responsibility for the activities and choices made on the person himself.
Personal savings and the formation of entrepreneurship during the reign of capitalist relationships were the material embodiment of the principles of individualism. The desire to increase one's own well-being was encouraged, which was directly linked to the development of the entire society. Private interests were placed even above state ones. The teachings of the New Age begin to address deep themes - individual consciousness and self-knowledge. Descartes R., Spinoza B. and others assign a large role to the ability to reflect. The emerging theory of law asserts, in addition to what has been said, the autonomy of the individual and the ability to make judgments.
The emergence of individualism and corresponding terminology dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries. A. de Tocqueville was convinced of the positive power of this new phenomenon and said that it would help a person become more active, more purposeful and separate from the rest of the masses and their influence. It becomes important for an individual to understand himself and his nature, the formation and positioning of the inner self, a focus on personal norms, and not the acceptance of imposed standards.
Personality
Each of us is a Personality
Individuality of a person is uniqueness, socially significant characteristics presented in the context of the worldview of a particular person.
If we compare this complex concept with the term “person,” here psychologists tend to talk about a generic concept, which indicates origin and physiological characteristics. In this context, it is said that the creature is at the highest stage of evolution, that’s all.
When it comes to personality, psychology provides broad explanations concerning the entire spectrum of life and ideological structures. A person is understood as an individual with a certain set of genetic qualities, but they were special, we can already talk about individuality. However, in this sense, this concept has nothing to do with the individual’s individuality.
Personality in psychology presupposes a set of individual personality traits. Among them are special mercy and kindness, dignified behavior under any circumstances, even compromising ones. The relationship between the concepts of personality and individuality is interpreted by psychologists as two ways of being of the same person. In some cases, he uses all his individual qualities, in others, he tries not to be different from others, to blend in with the crowd.
The processes of developing personality and individuality often occur in parallel. They are not always typical for adolescence. Often, very young children show their individual characteristics in creativity and unusual approaches in communicating with peers and adults.
According to psychologists, personality is formed from a very early age. Many call the baby 2-3 years old. Other researchers say five years. Indeed, already in early childhood a child has his own worldview, an individual view of certain things, events, and actions of other people. Based on different assessments of what they saw, children form their own line of behavior.
It is in childhood that the most important personality traits are formed. The child’s environment, parental behavior, and upbringing contribute to this. Peers and teachers also become examples.
Basic principles of individualism
The concept is based on several principles that support the integrity of the views and behavior of adherents of the chosen program. There are 3 postulates:
- Society is viewed not as an integral system consisting of relationships between people, but as a collection of individuals. Moreover, each of them has its own specific temperament, character traits, individual needs and intentions. A person has the right to have his own opinion on various issues.
- The essence of a person lies in the unique properties initially given to him, which he fully owns and which under no circumstances can be taken from him.
- There is a distinction between laws relating to social life and those rules that govern an individual. The group and its members do not represent a single organism.
Unfortunately, individualistic categories are not without internal contradictions, which results in instability of the worldview. New significant aspects of human existence are promoted. Negative traits arise in a person - selfishness, cynicism, the desire to dominate and achieve goals through convenient means. The subject is given the opportunity to be free in a broad sense, but he is alienated from the collective itself.
Along with autonomy, there is a growing feeling of loss of belonging to society. The last factor provokes ardent individualists to behave quite aggressively and try to subjugate society and, with its help, obtain maximum benefits for themselves. Such individualism is considered rebellious, and it is the opposite of the bourgeois (philistine) type. If the first is not inclined to take into account or somehow cooperate with the majority, then the other is able to conclude a mutually beneficial agreement with the team. Both forms may well manifest themselves in different historical eras. It must be remembered that individualism is one of the signs of a developing group and the construction of communication in it at a higher level. But the widespread dominance of individual aspirations can demonstrate the growing problems of the system and lead to its split.
Individualists' idea of ideals
From the definition of individualism and its principles follow the corresponding ideals that are of paramount importance for supporters of this philosophical movement:
- Emotional independence from others.
- Freedom of thought, having your own opinion.
- Leadership qualities, social initiative.
- Independence in action, decision making, leadership and responsibility.
- The desire for self-improvement, achievement and success.
- The right to private property, personal acquisitions.
Individualists are focused on caring only about themselves and significant others. The situation in the country, hometown or region will worry them provided that it affects them directly, otherwise it is of no interest. A positive aspect in the desire to separate from the team is focusing on yourself, your needs, desires and feelings, which allows you to think about personal improvement. In the modern world, this trend is clearly visible. And it should be understood not only as realization in the material world, but also as work towards spirituality.
People are still part of certain institutions, as before, dependent on each other and need social contacts in personal, professional and other ways. Any person, be it a child or an adult, needs friends and support from others to a greater or lesser extent. Therefore, now it cannot be said that an adherent of individualism is clearly separated from social processes; he can be included in them or not at his own request.
What is this worldview based on?
Now let us pay attention to what the main principle of individualism is, without which this philosophical movement could not exist. So, individualism is based on the fact that every person can, and moreover, should, live in full accordance with their desires - physical and mental. His every action should be based on his dream, need, passion and so on. This applies to both leisure and work. In other words, an individualist will always choose a profession that will bring him only pleasure and income, and not irritation, he will spend his free time with maximum benefit and efficiency, all his endeavors will be somewhat selfish in nature. However, there is one more very important rule - all this should not interfere with the manifestation of individualism in other people nearby.
Varieties of Individualism: Methodological Individualism
The phrase - methodological individualism - means a theoretical attitude, a position based on which the object under consideration, the phenomenon of the surrounding world, is a consequence of individual behavior or actions. Hence, the most correct and adequate assessment of what is happening will be from the point of view of a specific person, in other words, in social reality one cannot do without taking into account the human factor. The focus is on knowledge of human psychology. Excessive psychologism has often been a reason for criticizing the concept of individualism. G. Tarde spoke on the subject that all phenomena of culture and society are nothing more than the result of personal inventions.
For comparison, it is useful to mention sociologism and methodological holism. The first assigns a dominant role to structure, the second to society as an integrity. Holism, in contrast to individualism, speaks of the indivisibility and coherence of the components of social groups and the processes occurring in them. The importance of communities and the interactions of their members, which generate unique effects that cannot be reduced to individual actions, is emphasized. Systemic and functional approaches also support the recognition of the serious role of organizations, institutions, groups and clubs in shaping and further influencing the lives of members of society.
Moving away from collectivism, as indicated above, has positive aspects, without which the further development of humanity will be difficult. But the beneficial influence of the potential of this trend will manifest itself when a harmonious coordination of the needs of an individual subject and the interests of society is found.
Another point of view
In contrast to this theory, there is another, which at different times was expressed by supporters of such teachings as holism and historicism. These thinkers argued that an individual cannot play any significant role on the scale of world civilization.
All processes occurring in the sphere of politics and economics, as a rule, follow the same scenarios. The same can be said about the fate of individual peoples and states. Each of these social formations goes through the stages of origin, development, flourishing, extinction and death. According to some historians, most major highly developed civilizations have existed for about 2000 years. There are some exceptions (India, China), but they, as is commonly believed, only confirm the rule.
