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individualism|ɪndɪˈvɪdjuːəlɪz(ə)m|
[a. F. individualisme (f. med.L. individuāl-is individual + -isme, -ism); or f. individual + -ism.]
1. Self-centred feeling or conduct as a principle; a mode of life in which the individual pursues his own ends or follows out his own ideas; free and independent individual action or thought; egoism.
1827L. T. Rede Road to Stage 59, I beg to disclaim, in these observations, any individualism; several talented persons may be found connected with such establishments. 1835H. Reeve tr. De Tocqueville's Democr. in Amer. ii. ii. ii. (1840) III. 203 Individualism is a novel expression, to which a novel idea has given birth..Individualism is a mature and calm feeling, which disposes each member of the community to sever himself from the mass of his fellow-creatures, and to draw apart with his family and friends. 1840Gladstone Ch. Princ. 98 It is too closely connected with our individualism in religion. 1856Kingsley Misc., Hours w. Mystics I. 351 He is not tempted by it to selfish individualism, or contemplative isolation, as long as he is true to the old Mosaic belief. 1873M. Arnold Lit. & Dogma (1876) 312 It is the consecration of absolute individualism.
2. The social theory which advocates the free and independent action of the individual, as opposed to communistic methods of organization and state interference. Opposed to collectivism and socialism.
1851Mill in Westm. Rev. LVI. 87 Socialism as long as it attacks the existing individualism, is easily triumphant. 1884J. Rae Contemp. Socialism 209 Socialism and individualism are merely two contrary general principles, ideals, or methods, which may be employed to regulate the constitution of economical society. 1890Westcott in Guardian 8 Oct. 1581/1 Individualism regards humanity as made up of disconnected or warring atoms: Socialism regards it as an organic whole, a vital unity formed by the combination of contributory members mutually interdependent.
3. Metaph. The doctrine that the individual is a self-determined whole, and that any larger whole is merely an aggregate of individuals, which, if they act upon each other at all do so only externally.
1877E. Caird Philos. Kant iv. 71 Is such a more adequate philosophy to be found in the idealistic individualism of Leibnitz?
4. = individuality 2, 3.
1854Blackw. Mag. LXXV. 66 Their ideas of God did not possess that individualism and personality which so remarkably characterised those of the Hebrews. 1870Emerson Soc. & Solit. viii. 173 A person of commanding individualism will answer it as Rochester does. 1885Harper's Mag. Mar. 520/2 The individualism which is aimed at by architects.
5. An individual peculiarity; e.g. a manuscript reading peculiar to an individual scribe or copyist.
1881Westcott & Hort Grk. N.T. II. 232 Singular readings which are mere individualisms, so to speak, originating with the scribe or one of his immediate predecessors.
6. Bot. [ad. G. individualismus (K. von Tubeuf Pflanzenkrankheiten (1895) i. ii. 102).] A type of symbiosis in which the product of the relationship differs from either of the component organisms. Now rare.
1897A. Schneider in Minnesota Bot. Stud. I. 944 The best known and perhaps the most typical form of complete individualism is represented by the higher lichens. 1913Mycologia V. 102 It is supposed that the relationship is becoming closer and closer, and that finally it will be so intimate that neither symbiont will be able to live independently. Then will the individualism be perfect. 1967P. Gray Dict. Biol. Sci. 268/1 Individualism, a type of symbiosis, in which the aggregate differs from any of its components. A lichen is a case in point. |