Individualism

If someone called, you an individualist

Would you be flattered or insulted?
An individualist might be a rugged John Wayne,
A pioneer like Amy Johnson,
A creative innovator like Kate Bush,
Or an entrepreneur like Richard Branson
People we admire for refusing to follow
The crowd, for being true to themselves
But individualism is also often said to be
The source of Western civilizations degeneracy-accused of leading to
Selfishness, shallow consumerism, the breakdown of society
Individualism is a double-edged sword
Many believe its western roots go right back to early Christianity
Jesus taught that salvation did not depend on what tribe you belong to
But on how you choose to live your life
God had a one-to-one relationship with people, not to groups
The 16th century protestant reformation took this further
Taking away the need for priests to act as intermediaries
Between God and ordinary people
This sowed the seeds for the flowering of the modern individual
In the 18th century enlightenment
The Prussian philosopher Kant summed up its key message in the Latin phrase
Sapere Aude: dare to know, to think for yourself
Personal autonomy became the central value of western society
We see this in the principles of one person one vote
Civil liberties and equal rights for all
But this in many ways welcome development
Has gone hand in hand with the decline of community
The growth of independence and autonomy
Leads to a decline in interdependence and solidarity
In other cultures, these communal values have traditionally taken precedence
Across East Asia, who you are cannot be separated from the groups you belong to
That does not mean you lose your identity in the crowd
You find your identity in it: as a parent, a child, a ruler, a teacher, an apprentice
When we can all be different and yet all come together
We have harmony, the highest value in Confucian philosophy
Across the world individualism is lamented
When it turns us into atomized units?
Cut off from each other
Showing little or no interest in our fellow citizens
But if you can be yourself
While also being part of society
Contributing to it
Your individualism will be praised and celebrated