Example Of Individualism Vs Collectivism

In source one, the writer evaluates how one must hold regard for others rights and freedoms and respect them and source three holds the opinion that collectivism on a small scale is acceptable but on a large scale it is dangerous. Both of these sources speak about how without collectivism, individualism can not prosper. Source two is different however, in that it shows a much more collectivist opinion. Although the views may not be in line with individuality, there are still some aspects of this ideology. If in an ant colony, One individual feels like they are more important than the others it will leave for chaos. However you also can not treat individuals as though they are nothing. You must be careful not to promote enough individualism so that the ideology spreads, but also be sure to provide enough so that each individual feels important. All three sources agree with the idea that collectivism and individualism are like ying and yang: Without one you can not have the

Individualism puts the individual at the forefront of decision making power (SUO, 2016). Although we do not have specific power in the decision making process, we have a representative form of democracy where elected officials speak for the people, however, the individual has a strong voice in the American form of democracy (Borade, 2012).

Individualism in today’s society is the “belief that each person is unique, special, and a ‘basic unit of nature’.” The individualism concept puts an

Collectivism is the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual (Merriam-Webster). Those who believe in collectivism think having society working towards the same goal or outcome is the most productive. Supporters of this theory feel it creates harmony and a sense of belonging (Andrews 1). Collective societies tend to be dependent on others in the group or institutions to meet their needs. Members of a collective society expect absolute loyalty to the group and have a “we” mentality (Andrews 1). As Ray Bradbury pointed out in Fahrenheit 451, when a collective society is present, “...they all say the same things and nobody says anything different from anyone else.” (31) The individual has no self-identity and is lost to the group. Although aspects of this argument are enticing, it ultimately fails to be a stronger argument because individual responsibility nor moral responsibility is present. There is no incentive for any individual to step up because everyone receives the same reward. Through collaboration and collective thoughts are great tools, we must remember that the original thought was generated by the individual and he or she should benefit from

Individualism and self-determination are against the needs of society for conformity and stability, because a society needs people that help out for it to function as a constant, strong society. People acting on their own will only bring down a society, because a society runs on its people contributing to it.

The ability to have your own thoughts and opinions have slowly gone away and have gone towards the “group opinion” from societal pressures, family and religious backgrounds, to having the fear of not conforming or fitting in. When you have one group that thinks as one and does as one, I think it limits the abilities an individual can have. I see this everyday in society, whether I'm at school observing classmates, or even with my own friends, I tend to follow after the group. When always relying on the group, you restrict your ability to become your own unique person and

“Individualism is the idea that the individual’s life belongs to him and that he has an inalienable right to live as he sees fit, to act on his own judgement, to keep and use the product of his effort, and to pursue the causes of his choosing.” My take on individualism, is basically that we can control ourselves, we can do what we want with restrictions to keep those that stand by us safe. Individualism is a way of a society. Now, on the other hand there is collectivism, “the idea that the individual’s life belongs not to him but to the group or society of which he is merely a part of has no rights, and that he must sacrifice his values and goals for the group’s greater good.” My take on this is “idea” is that you are completely controlled when put under this way of society. Having read the book Anthem by Ayn Rand collectivism is for sure something that I would not want to be a part of.

In 1946, Ayn Rand wrote, “‘The greatest good for the greatest number’ is one of the most vicious slogans ever foisted on humanity. This slogan has no concrete, specific meaning. There is no way to interpret it benevolently, but a great many ways in which it can be used to justify the most vicious actions.” Collectivism is defined as the practice of assigning primacy to a group over each individual within it. At its core, the ideology stems from prioritizing the well-being of all. However, when allowed to run rampant as it is in Anthem, collectivism contorts into a binding institution that impedes individual evolution. Idealistically, collectivism is utopic, but in practice it negates the significance of the identities of its subjects.

Individuality is not tolerated by the society because it represents inequality, which the society does not wish to be associated with. “We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives.” (Rand 21). Throughout the novel, the reader starts to realize how their society is kept equal through most of the dialogue and feelings towards the other men. Another example of equality shown in the novel is that all of the people in the society are expected to follow the rules and have a part in the same activities as one another. “We are one in all and all in one… only the great WE…” (Rand 19). Here the reader starts to understand that their nation accepts the purpose of their society which is to exhibit equality by treating everyone equal to the other members. “… there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone.” (Rand 17). Readers evaluate how the members of the society treat each other equal by acknowledging the transgression of individuality. Their society believes that individualism is dangerous to their community which results with everything in their life being based on plurals. For example, everyone in their society is meant to address themselves with the pronoun “we” instead of “I” because the pronoun “I” represent individuality. Everyone in this society is meant to be treated as equals and they are currently keeping that rule in

To begin, Ayn Rand shows the negative side of collectivism with the creation of the main character Equality 7-2521. Rand’s strong beliefs had her create a whole character that is against the large idea of collectivism. In Anthem, it starts off by saying, “It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil” (Rand 17). Collectivism portrays the idea of being an individual as a sin. Because Rand is being derogatory, she makes collectivism seem wrong. The character is breaking the rules that he grew up learning and being forced to obey. Throughout the book, Equality 7-2521 continues to take his own path and become an individual against collectivism. Rand explains in the story Anthem, “This is a great sin, to be born with a head which is too quick. It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them” (Rand 21). The word “evil” is often associated with demons and the devil, so Rand's use of that word sets the tone of negativity. Collectivism makes the people feel guilty for being born with the ability to learn and comprehend schooling at a faster rate than others. This dystopian world is warped; instead of being praised and acknowledged for being advanced, they have to keep it to themselves and pretend to be normal when they aren't.

The protagonist, Equality 7-252, finds himself in a collectivist state where this type of government is based on the premise that all people live and work for the benefit and the good of everyone else. The leaders, also known as the World Council, is the group that makes decisions for the larger lower class as separated by intelligence or any other valuable trait. These decisions include individual’s names, their occupations, restricting their vocabulary and their education. The establishment of this government resulted in giving up personal rights and the sense of self. In this collectivist state, people are going to tell someone what to do, think and act and take away their free will. They choose and decide what they want and when they want it. A big part of individualism is to question anything or anyone, such as the government but in this collective state, fear is one of the most emphasized themes in the book that Rand shows of many people going along with society’s ideals simply because they are too afraid to stand up for anything else. Individualism gives people the power to voice their opinion, to say what they want and what they need. The most important part of the government is to establish laws based on peoples opinions and their needs/wants. Rather than having these laws be decided by the government and for the goal of equality they want to achieve. This is supported based of Excerpts from John Locke. Locke claims that the most important part of the government is the legislative power because the role of the legislative power is to establish laws that apply to everyone equally and for the good of the people. The purpose of an established government is to care for the good of its people, but the government in Anthem precludes people from their rights. Everyone should have a place or part in the government because no decisions are made

In Aldous Huxley’s A Brave New World, he brings to light the consequences of losing one’s individuality. All around the world, children are told to be themselves. No one wants their children to be exactly like other children; they just want their child, one with individual thoughts and actions. However, one cannot deny that people would agree more often if they all shared a similar mindset. For example, if everyone in the American government thought the same way, then bills and laws would be passed much quicker, bypassing the constant arguing that exists with two differing viewpoints.

We as a human race have become a byproduct of our society. Through media, technology, and social pressure, humans no longer run society, but it seems like we are run by society. The quote from sociologist Peter Berger states “Not only do people live in society but society lives in them” This statement is referring to a form of social control were groups and the people in those groups conform to society partially knowingly and partially as a reflection based on dominant social expectations. As I further explain Berger’s statement I will explain how individuality, identity, and freedom fit in to such a predetermined future.

Every culture has a set of cultural patterns, and it is possible for that culture to not be conscious of their patterns. Cultural patterns are a set of values, beliefs, and norms practiced in one’s culture (Lustig & Koester, 2013.) An example of a cultural pattern is having individualism or collectivism. In a collectivistic society, there is a level of dependency on a group. One is affiliated with a group and they all care for each other, physically and mentally. These groups are tight-knit and there is a strong sense of loyalty (Harms, 2007.) A collectivism culture is where it would be common for extended family members living under one room. For example, if a culture had grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living together. However, in an individualistic culture, members tend to think and act independently.

First, Individualism vs. Collectivism. Individualism is the social function of the relative likelihood of a free and individual means only take care of themselves and their families. By contrast, collectivism is the tendency of social functions relatively tight where each individual to identify themselves as a group with loyalty not need to be asked. The main problem of this dimension is the degree of interdependence of individuals in a