definitions of individualism

Tim Bates (tbates@karri.bhs.mq.edu.au)
Tue, 26 Jan 1999 16:07:00 +1100

hi,

we recently were discussing whether society exists or not.

A related topic is "What is individualism".

I would be interested in pithy definitions: here is one to start the ball rolling.

"Individualism [is] the practice of living in terms of coherent desires under the rule of law. [It] unleashed, for better or worse, everything that makes the modern West dynamic and innovative." Kenneth Minogue (Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of London), 1999, 'Times Literary Supplement', 8 i.

Not far short of Ayn Rand. Coherent desires is good. Law is good, but Minogue's definition doesn't specify the law system.

Who can do better?

best,
tim