The Importance Of Individualism

Although individualism is considered to be one of the defining qualities of Western civilization, it is tainted by selfishness and egotism, as it primarily considers the desires of the individual over the needs of society. Individualism is impractical in several aspects; it does not allow for society to operate smoothly, and it may fail to spur societal progress. Societal progression cannot be achieved by the individual- it is chiefly dependant on man developing a willingness to achieve progress in unison. Individualism only caters to the desires of the individual, deeming it selfish and egotistical. French historian Alexis de Tocqueville described individualism as “[...] a kind of moderate selfishness that disposed humans to only be concerned

According to Robert H. Nisbet, a prominent American sociologist, “It is self evident that social interactions and obligations are the glue which binds together any society - indeed humans are social animals after all” (Nisbet 187). Societies are developed and maintained by social interaction, and without these interactions as a foundation, they would quickly fall apart. Nisbet also noted that “society is not and cannot be held together by a distant central state [;] it is instead the community and the authorities [that] naturally spring up which bind us together and prevent the destruction of civilization” (Nisbet 187). Those unwilling to participate in social interaction cannot actively be apart of the communities that comprise society, and therefore, cannot effectively be governed. In turn, this presents society with another set of challenges, as this leaves individuals with an unprecedented amount of free choice. According to researchers from Regent University, “[...] individualism has been happily and effectively used to erode the foundations of our society, allowing actions which were previously held to be immoral as endorsed in the name of an individual right to liberty” (Young 1). Allowing individuals to have this much freedom not only promotes inequity, but may permit a descent into complete chaos. Furthermore, individualism inevitably leads to the