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Position:Home>Philosophy> Individualism. Does it really exsist?Question: Individualism!. Does it really exsist!? Can any of us really be individuals!? In all our attempts to defy the odds and really be the only version of ourselves-are we just copying the efforts of other people doing the same!? And many subcultures that try to distinct themselves all end up looking the same!. I mean, does individualism really exist!? Or it it sort of like communism!? Good in theory but fails in practice!?
Your thoughts!?Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: individualism will always exist at a psychological level, even if not at a physical level!. e!.g!. two 'plastic' style girls in my year!. exactly alike in looks down to the brand of eye liner!. one will tell everyone a secret, while the other would keep it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Oh, wow, you have it messed up, man!. Individualism is NOT to try to "be the only version of ourselves"--because then you are judging yourself against others and always trying to be UNlike someone else!. Individualism isn't about being UNlike someone else--it's about being whatever, whoever you are, where ever you are even if someone else turns out to be very much like you!. The push for "diversty" is the cause of this confusion of cause-and-effect!. Everyone thinks being "diverse" is a good thing to TRY TO BE!. When actually it is only something wonderful to end up as, when the honest effort has been just to be honest and true to yourself!. So what if someone else "defies the odds" and winds up being like you!? Life isn't about being "unique" except in one respect--not allowing your perception of yourself to be spoiled by other people trying not to be like you!. Individualism is not the goal, it is the method, the method of knowing yourself and maintaining your integrity in spite of everyone and anything!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Being an individual isn't about what you do!. It's about why you do it!. If your primary motivation for doing something is because 'everyone else does' or to 'fit in' or so on, then you are suppressing your individuality!. If you are doing something primarily because it is what you wish to do and are indifferent to what others may think of it, then you are expressing your individuality!. Being an individual isn't about being different at all costs!. That's just being contrary!. Complete rebellion is no more unique or individual than complete adherence!. You are still being defined entirely by the commons!.!.!. just by its opposite instead!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Well I would consider myself an individualist!. Countercultures are garbage!. Most of the people in them are only there because people they knew were!. Not because THEY were different!. And if I want to go for a long stroll at night, I am not ripping off Thoreau!. Do your own thing, don't enable pathetic people but always remain classy and respectful!. good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Ask Albert Einstein, Gandhi, Picasso, Van Goth, Da Vinci!.!.!.!. Ask a millionaire living in a box on a dark city street!.!.!.!. Ask Steven Foster, Steven Spielberg or Steven Hawking!. The world thrives on individualism; always has and always will!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I personally don't think it does exsist on a physical level, but everyone is different in some way mentally!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Yes, you've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was!.Www@QuestionHome@Com we are all completely unique, but in our attempts to show it, we mask it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com No, it's an illusion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I'll have to ask my study group about this!!!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com |