GLH+P4+2014-15+Individualism

Kailie Szewczyk Aim Individualism encompasses exactly what it conveys in the word itself. This term ultimately reaches to provide an individual with the ability to do as they wish and achieve their goals through self-advocacy. Claire Andre and Manuel Velasquez state, “What prevents Americans from "taking charge" is, according to the authors, our long and abiding allegiance to "individualism" -- the belief that "the good society" is one in which individuals are left free to pursue their private satisfactions independently of others, a pattern of thinking that emphasizes individual achievement and self-fulfillment” (1). This quote emphasizes the fact that the practice of individualism involves having an individual dedicate their time to themselves and their own ambitions rather than the achievements of society as a whole. Other articles have also expressed and furthered the explanation of individualism and what it entitles. For example, another article also comments on this topic by stating, “…Interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group” (“Individualism” 1). This term exercises a very Existentialist point of view towards the world. Again, this is because the phrase “self before society” is implicitly stressed in both quotes. Essentially, this means that the topic of individualism promotes the achievement of an individual rather than the focus on society’s achievements as an overall whole.

Amanda Marks Audience Individualism has audience that covers the span of the entire human race, being that individualism is a part of every person’s life. Individualism is defined, in the Britannica Encyclopedia, as, “political and social philosophy that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual,” (Lukes 1). Individualism is the very substance that emphasizes the differences in each and every person; it is what causes people to do what they do, beleive what they believe. This philosophy, that all people are individuals, shapes so many different portions of modern life which include: politics, belief systems, identity, and the interactions between different groups of people or individuals. In fact, Individualism has such a strong hold on these ideals that they become individualism themselves. The New York Times States, “...it seems, there will be only one “ism” — Individualism — and its rule will never end. As for religion, it shall decline; as for marriage, it shall be postponed; as for ideologies, they shall be rejected; as for patriotism, it shall be abandoned; as for strangers, they shall be distrusted” (Douthat 1). Individualism becomes the driving force for all these ideologies and control how people respond to important situations, which creates the audience. For instance, if all politics are run by individuals, than the voters are also affected by individualism because the choices the politicians make impact the voters as well; that does not even include the fact that the voters themselves are individuals. Individualism is within each an every person, and will continue to rule the thoughts and behaviors of its audience so long as views between people differentiate and there is cause for these differences.

Estefania Camacho Garcia Cultural Individualism has affected the individual people that belong to modern society into believing they can strive for a better life and choose their own decisions. In “Creating the Good Society”, “The belief that "the good society" is one in which individuals are left free to pursue their private satisfactions independently of others, a pattern of thinking that emphasizes individual achievement and self-fulfillment” (Andre and Velasquez 1). Individualism is the idea of a person making their own decisions without becoming influenced. In the article it states, “are left free to pursue their private satisfactions independently of others”. This means that one person has the opportunity to make their own decisions and choices. From this there will be new ideas derived and innovations and inventions are produced. The idea of individualism invokes a sense of creativity. As stated in the passage, “ a pattern of thinking”. Individualism causes its people to have a new way of processing information. From this, the individuals can become successful. In the quote it states, “emphasizes individual achievement and self-fulfillment”. This means that the individual does not depend on other people and is only concerned on what they, as the individual can achieve. In the article, “Individualism”, it states, “According to this view, state and [|society] are not artificial constructs erected on the basis of a [|social contract] but instead unique and self-sufficient cultural wholes” (Lukes 1). One problem this may cause is possible chaos within the society. When a person belongs to a society, they can succumb some of their “freedom” rights to the whole. Individualism promotes freedom from the oppression of other people. The benefit of individualism is that from individualism it leads to new creations that can benefit the society. These active participants can offer innovative ideas. As stated in the quote is, “state and [|society] are not artificial constructs erected on the basis of a [|social contract] ”. This means that wonderful and beneficial ideas can come from individualism. Individualism carries the world forward because it creates new ideas. In the article it states, “instead unique and self-sufficient cultural wholes”. This means that not only were there advanced technologies invented, but a person can become an individual and can live by themselves. Individualism creates a society where people can strive for a better life and their own decisions.

Megan Nickerson Historical Individualism has been an issue throughout history and continues to cause discrepancies in society. Societies attempt to either suppress individuals or to accentuate the individuals that represent the morals of that society’s leaders. Amitai Etzioni writes that, “Even the moderate communitarianism to which I subscribe, which recognizes the importance of rights and responsibilities, is much less flattering than any form of individualism”(50). Individualism proves threatening in totalitarian or communist government and this concept has been proved in governments throughout history. However, individualism when accentuated in the form of art that remains within the confines of societal acceptability, proves helpful in presenting the achievements of that society. An example of this is the Renaissance in Western Culture. During the Renaissance artists moved away from art that confined with other artists and had no identifying features that revealed the artist as an individual. As the Renaissance moved forward, “Individualism became a prominent theme in Italy. Many philosophers wrote about the potential of man and developed their own beliefs as to the kind of person an individual should aim to be”(Atkinson 1). This shows the difference between cultures, specifically Western culture. Etzioni also writes, “Nowadays, many in the West take the concept of the individual as self-evident, natural, and given”(50). Individualism can be beautiful or dangerous based on the point in history and the government in place in that society.

Sources: Andre, Claire and Manuel Velasquez. Santa Clara University. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. Atkinson, Madeleine. Guided History. Guided History Madeleine Atkinson Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. Douthat, Ross. The Age of Individualism. The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 Mar. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. Etzioni, Amitai. Individualism - Within History. By Amitai Etzioni. The Hedgehog Review, n.d. Web.13 Nov. 2014. Individualism. Wikimedia Foundation Inc, 3 Nov. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. Lukes, Steven M. Individualism (politics and Philosophy). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.