What does individualism mean?

Definitions for individualism
ˌɪn dəˈvɪdʒ u əˌlɪz əmin·di·vid·u·al·ism

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word individualism.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. individuality, individualism, individuationnoun

    the quality of being individual

    "so absorbed by the movement that she lost all sense of individuality"

  2. individualismnoun

    a belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence

  3. individualism, laissez fairenoun

    the doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs

Wiktionary

  1. individualismnoun

    The tendency for a person to act without reference to others, particularly in matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.

  2. individualismnoun

    The moral stance, political philosophy, or social outlook that promotes independence and self-reliance of individual people, while opposing the interference with each person's choices by society, the state, or any other group or institution.

Wikipedia

  1. Individualism

    Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology and social outlook that emphasizes the intrinsic worth of the individual. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and to value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve 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. Individualism is often defined in contrast to totalitarianism, collectivism and more corporate social forms.Individualism makes the individual its focus and so starts "with the fundamental premise that the human individual is of primary importance in the struggle for liberation". Anarchism, existentialism, liberalism and libertarianism are examples of movements that take the human individual as a central unit of analysis. Individualism involves "the right of the individual to freedom and self-realization".Individualism has been used as a term denoting "[t]he quality of being an individual; individuality", related to possessing "[a]n individual characteristic; a quirk". Individualism is also associated with artistic and bohemian interests and lifestyles where there is a tendency towards self-creation and experimentation as opposed to tradition or popular mass opinions and behaviors such as with humanist philosophical positions and ethics.

ChatGPT

  1. individualism

    Individualism is a social or political philosophy or ideology that emphasizes the moral worth, freedom, rights, independence, and overall value of the individual over the group, community or society. It promotes self-reliance, personal responsibility, and autonomy, advocating for individuals to express their own goals and desires, and to achieve self-fulfillment. Individualism can also refer to the behavior or thought marked by this independence and self-reliance.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Individualismnoun

    the quality of being individual; individuality; personality

  2. Individualismnoun

    an excessive or exclusive regard to one's personal interest; self-interest; selfishness

  3. Etymology: [Cf. F. individualisme.]

Wikidata

  1. Individualism

    Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes "the moral worth of the individual". Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve 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. Individualism makes the individual its focus and so starts "with the fundamental premise that the human individual is of primary importance in the struggle for liberation." Liberalism, existentialism and anarchism are examples of movements that take the human individual as a central unit of analysis. Individualism thus involves "the right of the individual to freedom and self-realization". It has also been used as a term denoting "The quality of being an individual; individuality" related to possessing "An individual characteristic; a quirk." Individualism is thus also associated with artistic and bohemian interests and lifestyles where there is a tendency towards self-creation and experimentation as opposed to tradition or popular mass opinions and behaviors as so also with humanist philosophical positions and ethics.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Individualism

    the name given to a social system which has respect to the rights of the individual as sovereign, and is strictly opposed to Socialism.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of individualism in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of individualism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of individualism in a Sentence

  1. Adamo Macri:

    I do preach the idea of individualism as in not adapting any kind of style or model other than that one of your own. I always found it strange in art history when studying about the different guilds and movements. It sounded too contrived and having to follow devised parameters to create art. I personally am not a team player in that manner. The art should be labeled by the artist's name only.

  2. Secretary Wilkie:

    Once again the halls of Congress reverberate with odes to rugged individualism, state sovereignty, and contempt for the centralized super-state, these are bloodless battles Jefferson Davis could never fight but, they are no less vital for the future of American civilization. As our cities decay and our standards and spiritual traditions deteriorate, America is searching for a better way. Walker Percy urged us to look South to recover community, stability, and sense of place in God's order which we have regrettably lost. That is a tall proposition but it is certainly one Jefferson Davis would understand and certainly one for which Jefferson Davis would fight.

  3. Lewis Lapham:

    Except in a few well-publicized instances (enough to lend credence to the iconography painted on the walls of the media), the rigorous practice of rugged individualism usually leads to poverty, ostracism and disgrace. The rugged individualist is too often mistaken for the misfit, the maverick, the spoilsport, the sore thumb.

  4. Donald N. Smith, president of Burger King:

    The individual choice of garnishment of a burger can be an important point to the consumer in this day when individualism is an increasingly important thing to people.

  5. Yoram Frydman:

    For the first time in a very long time there is the start of a change, especially among the young, it's no longer everyday individualism. There is suddenly solidarity, collectively, and a kind of small hope.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for individualism

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"individualism." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Jul 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/individualism>.

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