Individualism: Is it a good or bad thing? | A-Z of ISMs Episode 9 - BBC Ideas

What's the definition of individualism? Is it a good or a bad thing? Philosopher Julian Baggini explores the meaning and history of individualism.

This video was made by Somethin’ Else.
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#Individualism #Philosophy

[yssunjoko]

I come from eastern culture family background, and well, I don't like it because in every part of life I should conform to common values I was told to without question. Therefore, I quit being collectivist and choose individualism rather. I do enjoy it, I appreciate myself as an individual and I also appreciate others as other individuals...

[ld_Scratch]

the group won't hesitate and sacrifice you so that it can survive.

Freedom and Independence are your shield and sword!

[shadowwsk]

I believe in individualism, we shouldn't live based on people believes and orders, because we know ourselves the best, yet others know nothing about you

[TehRasia]

I see so many people misunderstand Individualism thinking it's about being selfish (in bad sense) and not engaging with other people. Individualism is about humans treated as 'ends' and not as 'means' vs collectivism treating humans as 'means' to achieve "greater good". So Individualist can and should engage with others, as long as he is free to leave. Society that has accepted collectivism prevents and shames people who leave E.g. oppressive work environment and say that he can't leave since he would hurt the whole workplace

[alfiemarie]

i think its important to note that there are good things that we all can learn from individualistic and collectivist cultures. rather than vilify one over the other, i think we should take a closer look into each culture, so we understand ourselves and the world around us.

[aazamben]

I'm a simple man and I believe in Individualism.

[MndaKing]

I lived in both cultures middle eastern and western for long enough, both has its own ups and downs. For example the homeless rate in middle eastern countries is way lower “almost non existent” compared to western countries because of the sense of community and taking care of each other. If someone for example your cousin was in need, the whole family would put money together just to secure him an apartment or take care of the rent.
But on the other hand, family and cultural values are very important that can get in your way, Specially for women.

[shotgundorothy]

Society should be made up of individuals assisting one another. The only form of "collectivism" that should ever exist is moral responsibility. Any other form of collectivist thought leads to societal organization and structuring, which always leads to human misery.

[legalfictionnaturalfact]

Whenever those against individualism talk about it, they always have to use the phrase rugged individualism. This is a straw man. This is not what individualism means. Individualism simply means that the individual is not the means to an end, but an end in and of herself. Whenever folks put a qualifier on a word, such as in intellectual dishonesty, they are manipulating the meaning of the word. The group is not the base unit. The individual is.

[joeycottone]

Individualism is the smartest way to be

[SirKi-efvw]

I'm no philosopher but IMO, things aren't black and white here. In terms of getting stuff done, collectivist ideas definitely triumph. Some of the greatest things we have in life today cannot be made by one man alone. We needed a team to go to the moon, we needed a team to invent the internet, and we needed a team to build the highways. Even in modern-day, many of the products we use cannot exist without the collaboration of many people. Humans evolved to be social creatures, we naturally benefit in a group.

That said, just as collectives can do good, they can also do bad. Many extreme political groups used collectivism to gain power and have harmed millions through the power of the team. This is where I think individualism is really important. It's very important to recognize when a group is beneficial or detrimental. To have the ability to think for yourself is very important. In fact, good practice of individualism also benefits the group. If each individual has their own unique learnings and experiences, then the group becomes much more diverse and powerful as a result. But just like collectivism however, individualism can have its bad sides. A person so focused on the self loses sympathy for others. An inability to stand in the shoes of others leads to bigotry and hate.

All in all, the best solution is to have a mixture of both, and each can benefit from the other.

So there's my two cents. Like I said I have no philosophical training, so take things with a grain of salt.

[yeshacroe]

idk in my life, many group of people usually do me wrong due to misunderstanding me. they labeled me as selfish when actually my intention was different. Yes i have behavioural problems, probably thats why. but its sad to see when people are in groups, they eat each other whenever they got chance and in a nasty way but they still stay together like the relationship seems like plastic but it last. Not for me tho, i separate myself because i know they wont change on how they treat me, I am tired of being an outcast too but... I am more feeling safer with just me. I do still hope that my work or whatever i do would still be a benefit to others in a good way, thats the only thing to make me still human. I also do try to forgive somehow with those people who do me wrong, relatives, classmates, coworkers . Actually pandemic saved me from dealing with coworkers as we work from home now. We rarely talk, so less conflict. We just have listed task to do. I dont have to work on groups, we do it individually which did made me feel ok and thankful. Yep, every chaos theres always a positive side on it.

[CavalieriTom]

I highly reccommend reading AYN RAND, the russian - american philosopher who nailed the moral of individualism.

Do not make the mistake of the ignorant who think that an individualist is a man who says: “I’ll do as I please at everybody else’s expense.” An individualist is a man who recognizes the inalienable individual rights of man—his own and those of others.

An individualist is a man who says: “I will not run anyone’s life—nor let anyone run mine. I will not rule nor be ruled. I will not be a master nor a slave. I will not sacrifice myself to anyone—nor sacrifice anyone to myself.”

[morrigen]

individualism leads to shallow consumerism? really now?

[C.D.J.Burton]

Rubbish, in theory yes, collectivists praise and celebrate me when it suits them, when it can make them look good! But the rest of the time I'm a psychological punchbag, hence why I don't like socialising and always aim to stay in doors learning, doing and making stuff.

[briza]

Individualism makes you be more responsible for your decisions, instead democracy or collectivism forces you to "fit in" like everybody of the population.

[bishal]

Individualism is part of pluralism. We all are separate beings, have separate mind and body, and deal with our own life. Individualism is just the opposite of Monism or non dualty, which states we all are same and one single consciousness, the mind of god. But scientifically, more specifically psycology, we all are separate brains and bodies and we all interact separately with our surrounding. But we all are conscious. Some people become so much egocentric that they only believe themselves and believe that they are only cOnscious and in turn become solipcists.

[jamesni]

More individual minded people are more likely to donate to charity.

[Michformer]

Given the rampant tribalism bepalling the Earth and disincentivizing folks to self-actualize, individualism can’t afford to keel over. Also worth pointing out that humans have varying levels of sociability and desire for point-blank connections, so some are more conducive to individualism than others. People come out of distinct wombs, not assembly lines designed for uniformity.

Lastly, the reason Eastern countries are more collectivistic is because they’re a lot more homogeneous in terms of demographics. Given the human lust for patterns and known quantities, a group-centered bias is very easy to embody.

Can’t replicate that model in pluralistic countries where exposure to different people of varying backgrounds is more frequent. And yet that’s precisely what neo-nationalists are seeking to achieve via their fear of the unknown.

Humankind is more interconnected than ever before and things like the bolstering od LGBTQ and women’s rights transpire worldwide at a gradually brisk rate, meaning that individualism will likely trounce tribalism over time... provided pied piper figures don’t get the upper hand by using the masses to further their collectivistic goals.

Being human’s an art, not a science.

[tghooker]

i believe in individualism because people are actual individuals, with their own experiences and preferences.