Every person is unique. Even multiple births have different characteristics, physically and psychologically. Individuals naturally have a capacity for independent thinking that is quite unique on this planet. Yet the history of mankind has long been defined by collectivism.
The reasons for this can be traced back to the beginning of our species. For our ancestors, being part of a group and following common rules in obtaining food and shelter was a matter of survival. In most cases, being “thrown out of the clan” was equivalent to a death sentence.
Within the group a certain individuality was possible, for example in the production of handicrafts. Yet there were narrow limits to self-fulfillment. It was only with intellectual and technological progress that people were able to express themselves more and more as individuals. But many boundaries have not yet been overcome.
The history of individuality has been influenced by excellent minds. Here is a selection of key opinion leaders:
Our western civilization goes back to ancient Greece. The original form of democracy originated in Athens. One of the greatest scholars in history also worked there: the philosopher Socrates. He lived from 469 to 399 BC. BC and is considered a pioneer of Western thought, although he did not write anything down.
Socrates is also considered a pioneer of individualism. It started with his appearance. He is said to have often roamed the market square of Athens unwashed and in his pajamas. He irritated his contemporaries by not lecturing like other philosophers, but by constantly pestering them with questions.
With this maieutic or “midwifery art,” Socrates wanted to encourage people to “give birth” to their own ideas. He encouraged himself to think independently. Naturally, the powerful in Athens were suspicious of this. They accused Socrates of wickedness and corruption of the youth. He was eventually sentenced to death by a poisoned cup.
The individuality continues like this, but first a short advertising break:
And now back to the story…
Jesus, the itinerant preacher from Nazareth, never wanted to establish his own religion. He was and remained a Jew, but with his revolutionary views he provoked the spiritual and secular rulers. In a sense, Jesus was the perfect individualist, because hardly anyone before him developed such radical ideas.
He turned against the temptation of power and demanded, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In doing so, he made the individual responsible twice, calling for self-love – not to be confused with self-love – and for philanthropy. He interpreted the term “neighbor” universally. One must love even one’s enemy, he said.
It is not surprising that Jesus was executed like Socrates. And that the religion built on his ideas not only grounded them beyond recognition, but turned them into the opposite. The churches loved power and promoted hatred against others. The individualist Jesus was ahead of his time. In fact, he still is.
The power of the Catholic Church and its abuse drove a German Augustinian monk to the barricades. Martin Luther challenged the church with his 95 theses and became the founder of the Reformation. When he had to withdraw his theses before the Diet in Worms in 1521, he refused, citing his conscience.
He probably never used the words “Here I stand, I can do no other”. But Luther’s revolt against Emperor Charles V is considered a key moment of individualism. The late, established Luther, however, abandoned this. He condemned the uprising of the peasants, who had invoked his concept of freedom, and demanded obedience to the authorities.
Nevertheless, Protestantism and its work ethic contributed to the development of the individual. This is especially true of the Anglo-Saxon world, where individualism has gained a foothold than elsewhere. The US Declaration of Independence even defines the “pursuit of happiness” as a human right.
Individuality was promoted by the Enlightenment in the 18th century. A leading philosopher was François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire. He never said the famous quote “I don’t share your opinion, but I’d give my life if you could express it”, but it sums up his way of thinking.
Immanuel Kant also played a prominent role. His motto “Have the courage to use your own mind!” refers to Socrates. In the categorical imperative “Act only according to that maxim by which you may also will that it become a universal law” one sees traces of Jesus’ charity.
From this, however, conclusions can also be drawn about the downside of individuality. It can turn into pure selfishness, without regard for other people or nature. Counter-movements such as nationalism, fascism, communism and Islamism also arose in response to individualism and the resulting liberalism.
They have caused untold suffering in the 20th and 21st centuries. Because people’s desire to live out their individuality often meets with resistance from those who prefer the perceived security of the collective. This is the case even in the liberal democracies of the West, where society has become most individualized.
In other cultures individuality is still difficult to this day, whether in the Islamic world, in Hinduism with its officially forbidden but ineradicable caste system, or in the Far East, where collectively oriented movements such as Confucianism have a formative influence. have had an influence. on the have companies.
In recent years, liberal ideas have even tended to retreat. Yet there are indications that individualism will prevail. This is represented by the thousands of young Russians who do not want to go to war, as well as the intrepid women who are fighting back against the headscarf requirement in Iran.
Source: Blick
I am Ross William, a passionate and experienced news writer with more than four years of experience in the writing industry. I have been working as an author for 24 Instant News Reporters covering the Trending section. With a keen eye for detail, I am able to find stories that capture people’s interest and help them stay informed.
