About individualism
Individualism holds that a person taking part in society attempts to learn and discover what their own interests are on a personal basis, without a presumed following of the interests of a societal structure (an individualist need not be an egoist). The individualist does not necessarily follow one particular philosophy. They may create an amalgamation of elements of many philosophies, based on personal interests in particular aspects that they find of use. On a societal level, the individualist participates on a personally structured political and moral ground. Independent thinking and opinion is a necessary trait of an individualist.
Individualism is often contrasted either with totalitarianism or with collectivism,[8] but there is a spectrum of behaviors at the societal level ranging from highly individualistic societies through mixed societies to collectivist.
Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, and social outlook that emphasizes the worth or central role of the individual.[1][2][3][4] Individualists promote realizing one's goals and desires, valuing independence and self-reliance, and advocating that the interests of the individual should gain precedence over the state or a social group, while opposing external interference upon one's own interests by society or institutions such as the government.[5] Individualism makes the individual its focus,[3] and so starts "with the fundamental premise that the human individual is of primary importance in the struggle for liberation".[6]
Individualism represents one kind of sociocultural perspective and is often defined in contrast to other perspectives, such as communitarianism, collectivism and corporatism.[7][8]
Individualism is also associated with artisticand bohemian interests and lifestyles, where there is a tendency towards self-creation and experimentation as opposed to tradition or popular mass opinions and behaviors,[5][9]and it is associated with humanistphilosophical positions and ethics.[10][11]"Individualism" has also been used as a term denoting "[t]he quality of being an individual; individuality", related to possessing "[a]n individual characteristic; a quirk".[5]