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. Though identity suggests to an aspect of individuality it is really a result of socialization. Identity is how we see …show more content…
While all people conform to society to some degree we all develop aspects of individuality from our different experiences. Individuality is what makes the human race as successful as it is. It adds creativity and change in an otherwise idle society. Without it there would be no change. While all these characteristics of individuality are true there are pressures from society that still eliminate total individuality. Ones individuality is based on pressures of society. A woman will develop individual traits characteristic of a women, such as physical beauty and motherhood. A man will develop certain traits characteristic of a man, such as sports or risky behavior. An individual’s races or religions can also have an influence on what a person’s individual traits will be. While most humans have a certain amount of individuality, Berger’s statement still applies, society lives in us all and there is little an individual can do to manipulate it. Freedom has a large range of meaning. The encyclopedia Britannica defines freedom as “the quality or state of being free, and the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action” (Britannica). In the American society there is a lot of emphasis on freedom, and the right to be free, but one must question to what extent we are truly “free”.
Imagine yourself in the following situation: You sign up for a psychology experiment, on a specific date at a given time. You believe you are partaking in the experiment with fifteen other participants, however they have been given specified scripts that have been written out for them prior to the experiment. You are the only real participant. The experimenter arrives and begins to ask a series of true or false questions that aren't particularly hard. People begin to raise their hand for the inaccurate answers.
The definition of individuality states a total character peculiar to and distinguishing an individual from others. In a society a person can chose to take the easy way out by following the crowd or, do the hard thing and be an individual and embrace the characteristics that make you different from others. Being an individual and standing out from the crowd might be hard at first but, it can lead to a better society for everyone. In Anthem, by Ayn Rand, the theme of the book is individuality outweighs the expectations of society. This theme is clearly shown throughout the book through the protagonist's internal conflict, the introduction to conflict and the climax. In the beginning of the story Equality 7-2521 introduces himself and he says, “Our name is Equality 7-2521, as it is written
What is Freedom; does it really mean to be “free?” According to several dictionaries, freedom is described as being free of confinement or physical restraint. The United States of America is one of the freest countries in the world. Freedom isn’t just prone, though. Millions fought and perished for our rights and delivered us the freedom that citizens of the United States possess now. It is truly sublime to have these rights, is it not? Having human rights that enable us to do whatever we prefer is enlightening, yes? Ah, but is that what we actually maintain? We accomplished the aspect of freedom, but we are never really “free” until everyone is on the identical page.
What makes individuals unique. Most would say a person’s personality makes them who they are. An individual’s personality is the mental characteristics that makes them unique from other people. It includes all the patterns of thought and emotions that cause us to do and say things in particular ways. Genetics is one of the main factor that shapes our personalities. Most of us have been told that they are like their parents or act like their parents in certain ways. That is because of some combination of genes, and the environment they raise us in. They raise us inn their own image. Environment plays a big role in shaping personality than heredity. In the article, “Bernie Goetz and the Rise and Fall of New York City Crime”, Malcolm
Individualism is not selfishness. However, individualism helps people stand on different position and try to make changes in the society. These changes bring the America new ideas, push the nation make progress. There is not too much emphasis on individualism at the expense of social unity in American culture. Instead, individualism needs to weigh a higher status in this nation.
All things considered, I have found myself completely agreeing with Logan Feys and his views on individuality and the statement of breaking free of society’s shackles in order to be who you are freely. In the long run, doing so will provide you the opportunity to be genuinely happy, embrace your individuality, and lastly think for yourself. It is important to learn to take advantage of the choices and opportunities that life has handed you; to learn to control your own life and not let society do it for
Individuality means being distinct from others, and that is what makes all of us special. When individuality gets suppressed, the potential we have as a human being is gone. As a result, we would all be mentally and physically the same as others. Equality 7-2521 is a young man who lives in a brotherhood where he’s brainwashed, and taught that equality is essential; he is taken away his aspects of being different from others. He’s an intelligent, good-looking guy who knew since he was a kid that he’s different from his society. He realizes that he wants to follow his own desires and be free, so he fights for what he believes in with his lover and friends. Similarly, Harrison is a genius guy who lives in a society where his intelligence is controlled
The notion of freedom can mean different things to different people, it all depends on the level of freedom you have over your own life. It could be freedom of speech, religious freedom, freedom of the press or even freedom of economy. However you see it they all seem to describe a sense of personal freedom, which no doubt everybody wants, but only some seem to have. No other democratic society in the world allows personal freedoms to the degree of the United States of America. They have been able to establish a set of legal rules that systematically protects all forms of freedom. Freedom remains the lone basis for American society as we know it. Without freedom the great nation of America would have never been created. Just as how the
As a result, each person possess distinct characteristics that give a definition to who a person is. However, society demands uniformity within the population that deprives humanity of all purpose. Part of being human is being different, and being different means more idea, more opportunity, more humanity. If everyone were to be the same, the world would never improve. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi were all people who decided not to be a part of the crowd, and as result changed the world forever. These people improved the world for everyone, all because they decided that they did not want to be like everyone else. Still, others will say that it is good to have someone like them in their life. That would be, if it were possible. It is simply not possible to meet someone exactly like someone else. Also, independent thinking is always important, even in team activities. Independent thinkers strengthen teams because they are able to understand that contrasting backgrounds and perspectives bring new ideas and solutions to the
Individuality is what separates you from any other person but opposed to that is being social because being social is when you collaborate with other people and share same opinions. We are all individuals because we all have something that is either unique or secret about ourselves. Both Edgar Allen Poe’s, A Tell Tale Heart, and William
However, it's our experiences in life that molds us into different characters. Where we now have "Individualism", based on our "self interests" which allows us to reach our goals. As human beings who learn from our mistakes, and choose to
It brought us the Civil Right Movement to help black people get their rights and help destroy some of the cultural divides in america causing overall equal treatment . So individuality maybe seem hard and impossible but people have done great things with it. In conscience in the novel The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier showcases a story about a Jerry and showcases some of the negative of individuality with how it affects his personal,social life and the social expectations and pressures he
Individualism can mean a lot of things. It tends to show a different meaning depending on the person you ask. Is there a way Individualism can change the world? Could Individualism somehow be a bad thing? Individualism can change the world. In the 19th century people stuck to society. If they really did something out of character to show their personalities, they would most likely be executed. In "The Crucible" they were accused of witchcraft if they didn't act like society. Then they would either have to confess or be hanged in front of everyone. John Proctor stood up and vowed that there was no such thing as witchcraft in the end and showed everyone there with his personality that there was no such thing as witches. They probably felt foolish
The word individuality presents a common theme in my life. As a child, I have been told that I can make a difference in this world and that there is nobody like me. As I grew up, these comments stuck with me. Today, I view individuality as a separation of myself from the rest of the commonplace world. I perceive individuality, as the distinct features that divide us from the rest and that keep us from being grouped together. In my poster, I show a picture of a cross. The cross to me shows a strong sense of individuality as it describes a distinct characteristic about Christians that divides us form other religions. I also showed a picture of the American Flag, which to me symbolizes all that individuality has to offer. The flag as a whole
What is society and how did it help shape me into the person I am today? First, society is the state of living in organized groups of people. These organized groups of people are the ones that made me who I am today and will continue to shape me, as I grow older. My version of society is white middle class people who grow up going to catholic schools. These white middle class people are only associated with other white middle class people, and very seldom venture out of this little society. As stupid as that sounds to not associate with other people it is true. The reason this is true is because of where I live, where I go to school, and who my friends are. I guess it is just like