Dictionary
individualism
noun in·di·vid·u·al·ism \ˌin-də-ˈvij-wə-ˌli-zəm, -ˈvi-jə-wə-, -ˈvi-jə-ˌli-\
: the belief that the needs of each person are more important than the needs of the whole society or group
: the actions or attitudes of a person who does things without being concerned about what other people will think
Full Definition of INDIVIDUALISM
1
a (1) : a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount; also : conduct guided by such a doctrine (2) : the conception that all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals b : a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests; also : conduct or practice guided by such a theory
2
a : individuality b : an individual peculiarity : idiosyncrasy
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First Known Use of INDIVIDUALISM
1827
Related to INDIVIDUALISM
- Synonyms
- crotchet, curiosity, eccentricity, erraticism, idiosyncrasy, kink, mannerism, oddity, peculiarity, quiddity, quip, quirk, singularity, tic, trick, twist
Other Philosophy Terms
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