Modern Societies and Individualism - Essay Example

of the of the of the Modern Societies and Individualism The chief problem faced by modern societies is with regard to the relationship between individuals and the community. No longer do individuals, accept without question, social obligations. Although, this is a welcome trend, there are several difficulties and dangers associated with it. For instance, the individual members of a society, may express demands that the society might be unable to fulfill. It has been recommended by scholars, like Durkheim that this unwanted trend in society is to be overcome by constituting professional groups that bring about the integration of the individuals in their groups (Aron 26). Therefore, it is essential to have social discipline in any society. Individualism is the basic principle on which the societies of the present age are founded. Every person wishes to procure, whatever he feels that he is eligible to obtain. In this manner, the individualist theory of justice has been transformed into a crucial collective theory of the present age (Aron 26). In instances, wherein individual distinction prevails in society; the principle of collective consciousness, which is controlled by mechanical solidarity, remains in existence. Values, sentiments and morals should be the same for all the people. In cases, where these common principles are impaired, society will be exposed to the danger of disintegration (Aron 26). Individualism in Europe chiefly emerged on the basis of the thoughts of John Stuart Mill and Friedrich Nietzsche. John Stuart Mill’s renowned essay On Liberty, declared that individuals should exercise sovereignty over their mind and body. Nevertheless, he was convinced that his ideology did not subscribe to the selfish ideas, propounded by Adam Smith. He believed that individuals should have the freedom to investigate moral, religious, and feminist ideas (Individualism). As such, Mill focused on personal freedom, which he considered indispensable, for achieving the greatest good of the greatest numbers. According to Mill, individual dignity depends on personal freedom (Individualism). Ultimately, this would lead to the exploration of the unconventional ideas. The individual was viewed by Plato and Aristotle, as a social and political being. In the Republic, Plato contended the state was responsible for molding the individual psyche, via its educative and socializing functions. He also promoted the views of Socrates, who stated that dialogue between the people, led to the formation of a knowledge base and principles of virtue and morality among them. (Self and social self). Aristotle believed that an individual was a social and political entity that developed its character, virtues, and excellences, on account of being members of society and a political community. It was opined by John Locke that all humans are equal and born free. However, he believed that men should rule in the state and the family; and was silent regarding the sharing of political power by women (J.P.Sommerville). Marx and Engels promoted the proletariat and even deified it, in their ideology. However, it was emphasized that the individual was insignificant (Marková 5). The notion of individualism can be ascribed to Aristotle. He was of the opinion that individuals were significant, as they formed the community. However, individuals achieved self sufficiency, only as members of the community. In this manner, the individual and the community were inter – dependent. Such mutual dependence was stressed by the philosophers of ancient Greece, the mediaeval era and the modern age. Some of the modern philosophers who believed in this concept were, Burke, Kant, Hegel, Havel and Taylor (Marková 8). Humanism as an educational concept has dealt with human autonomy, dignity, freedom, and individualism. There were several humanist educators who had attached considerable importance to freedom in learning. Some of these humanist educators, include the French archbishop Francois Fenelon; the great Moravian reformer Johann; Jean – Jacques Rousseau of the French Revolution; Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi; Maria Montessori; and John Dewey. Since the 17th century, the tradition of humanistic teaching and learning had gained popularity and developed to a major extent (Humanism ). The preference for open education and the open – space classroom, commenced in the 1970s, in the UK and the US. These systems of learning, closely resembled humanistic teaching and learning, which had been developed in the seventeenth century (Humanism ). Educational humanism is in its most general sense, supposed to be loosely connected with humane teaching and learning. It is also believed to be related to compassion, caring, and solicitude towards students. The present system of educational humanism is the combination of freedom in learning, diversity in curriculum, individualized instruction, and self-based learning (Humanism ). The modern education is child – centered pedagogy, and children’s rights are given prime importance. Furthermore, children are encouraged to explore and discover. Humanism is presented as opposition to every form of rigidity, classroom authoritarianism, and passive learning. Therefore, humanistic educators, attempt to promote a culture, wherein children take an active part in the learning process. Not surprisingly, student involvement in education is accorded the highest priority under the system of humanistic education. This latter system of education, engenders classrooms that are more liberated, as the children are given greater freedom in the classrooms, in comparison to the past (Humanism ). These progressive trends are aimed at increasing the awareness and promoting spontaneous curiosity and inquiry among children. The present day society, accords considerable importance to the concept of individualism. Egoism and self interest are the most important factors, in the globalized world. The global market promotes individualism and change, instead of constancy and shared values. Modern society, encourages; invention and constant change, so as to increase profit to the individual. However, a society that is solely founded on selfish interests cannot enjoy stability. Moreover, in such societies, basic moral values will be seriously compromised. Therefore, individuality has to be conditioned by a minimum of concern for society at large. Philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, Marx, and Engels believed that individualism was to be restricted, in the larger interests of the community. Some modern theorists, like Fenelon, Rousseau and Montessori, were opposed to any form of rigidity or authoritarianism. Thus, there is a trend to promote individualism, in the modern day context. Works Cited Aron, Raymond. Main Currents in Sociological Thought: Montesquieu, Comte, Marx, Tocqueville, and The sociologists and the Revolution of 1848. Transaction Publishers, 1998. Humanism . 1996. 8 January 2010 . Individualism. 1996. 8 January 2010 . J.P.Sommerville. Theories of property, liberalism, gender and John Locke. 8 January 2010 . Marková, Ivana. "The Individual and the Community: A Post-Communist Perspective ." Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology 7.1 (1997): 3 – 17. Self and social self. 2001. 8 January 2010 . Read More