[lbo-talk] Re: Individualism (Pomo Prince)

Michael Dawson -PSU mdawson at pdx.edu
Mon Dec 8 10:32:42 PST 2003



> By definition, personal autonomy is maximizing life chances and increasing
> choices. Your claim has to be true, by definition: it's like saying
> "I like being a bachelor because I'm unmarried".
>
> Miles

Again, this is untrue. Those who speak of "the cult of individualism" (and those, like you, who merely flirt with anti-individualism) imply that maximum individualism is actually a road to maximum subordination and destruction and unhappiness. "Life chances" means an individual's chances to find a social role that suits his or her self, and to become a happy, contributing member of a society. If individualism is a harmful cult, how can it maximize life chances? Isn't it better to have eons of tradition tell you to hunt deer today and gather grubs tomorrow, then drink some beer and lay around the hut?

I notice you also ignore the social element of what I said -- strong individualism makes democracy work better and increases the range of choices we collectively have.

I actually don't believe that any sane person in the modern world is against strong individualism. (In fact, I suspect it's among the modern inventions that members of the world's remaining traditional societies recognize as being, like matches, modern food storage, and modern clothes, worthy of quick adoption.) Heck, look at Mr. Dauth, the proclaimed enemy of "the cult of individualism." Not only does he sign all his postings, but he appends a secondary label advertising himself and his personal perspective. Look at me, I'm against individuality!



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