Chewing on Individualism

U.S. News & World Report publishes a piece by Joannie Fischer titled “Those Rugged Individuals," which scantily reviews the history of individualism, and those who promoted the idea, and then delves into individualism’s metamorphisis over time here in the U.S.

The piece presents a mildly negative view of individualism, especially in regards to the thought that individualists care ought for others, a thought I do not necessarily agree with, but, if you have any interest in individualism, it’s worth taking the time to read.

Posted by on 06/23 at 07:21 AM

  1. John Venlet: The piece presents a mildly negative view of individualism, especially in regards to the thought that individualists care ought for others

    [All subsequent quotes from the referenced article …]The first American individualists were thoroughly steeped in a one-for-all mentality on the assumption that all moral persons would devote themselves to the good of the group.

    The premise of Individuality is based on the premise that “Others” exist. If You are the only “Individual” in existence, then you aren’t really much of an Individual in reality (you’d simply be a Solipsist (which is not the same as an Individual)).

    And even as Thomas Jefferson wrote of the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, he pictured a nation of independent yeomen who, after tending their land all day, would gladly participate in community meetings.

    Individuality is predicated on the premise of Community (or “Society” or “that Others exist in reality” – same difference).

    Put another way … two things can be different things.

    But can One thing be different? Different than (or from) what?

    Not until the mid-1800s did the pursuit of individual fulfillment come to connote a retreat from the group.

    The Neoconformists (or the “neoindividualists” if you prefer).

    Emerson first preached the concept in his 1841 … For him, the self was more important, more interesting, than the group.

    Narcissism <> Individuality

    Emerson’s friend Henry David Thoreau went further, deeming it necessary for him to physically part with society to develop his own integrity.

    Solipsism <> Individuality

    … as the 20th century progressed, but many came to fear our rugged individualism was melting into a mediocre conformity.

    You will be assimilated.
    Resistance if futile.

    Bellah argued that Americans wanted to transcend their self-absorption but had become trapped by the language of individualism into seeing no point in trying to reconnect with others.

    How you doing today Mr. Venlet?

    Prof. Robert Putnam documents a huge drop in all forms of public life since the late 1960s and a corresponding rise in measures of malaise, from the use of antidepressants to suicide rates. Medical studies confirm that individuals are sicker and die sooner in direct proportion to the degree that they are isolated from others.

    That can’t be true … can it?

    I guess it doesn’t really matter. I’m going to pretend it’s not true.

    heed Jefferson’s directive to “love your neighbor as yourself, and your country more than yourself."

    I don’t comprehend why you are against voting/democracy? Is there an old post or article that sums up your line of thought?

    You like/admire Jefferson – correct? Is Jefferson way off the mark here, or have his words been taken out of context for this article?

    BTW – did you zap my meme on the VM? That post was right on topic. Too subtil perhaps?

    Posted by  on  06/23  at  09:42 AM

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