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individualism

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
in·di·vid·u·al·ism  (nd-vj--lzm)
n.
1.
a. Belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence.
b. Acts or an act based on this belief.
2.
a. A doctrine advocating freedom from government regulation in the pursuit of a person's economic goals.
b. A doctrine holding that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of the state or social group.
3.
a. The quality of being an individual; individuality.
b. An individual characteristic; a quirk.

individualism [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəˌlɪzəm]
n
1. the action or principle of asserting one's independence and individuality; egoism
2. an individual quirk or peculiarity
3. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) another word for laissez faire [1]
4. (Philosophy) Philosophy the doctrine that only individual things exist and that therefore classes or properties have no reality Compare Platonism, realism [5]

individualism
the practice of independence in thought and action on the premise that the development and expression of an individual character and personality are of the utmost importance. Cf. egoism. — individualist, n. — individualistic, adj.
See also: Self
the practice of independence in thought and action on the premise that the development and expression of an individual character and personality are of the utmost importance. Cf. egoism. — individualist, n.individualistic, adj.
See also: Attitudes
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.individualism - the quality of being individual; "so absorbed by the movement that she lost all sense of individuality"
trait - a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
singularity, uniqueness - the quality of being one of a kind; "that singularity distinguished him from all his companions"
2.individualism - a belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence
belief - any cognitive content held as true
rugged individualism - individualism in social and economic affairs; belief not only in personal liberty and self-reliance but also in free competition
3.individualism - the doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs
doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

individualism
noun independence, self-interest, originality, self-reliance, egoism, egocentricity, self-direction, freethinking He is stuck with what he calls the individualism of officers.
Translations
individualism [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəlɪzəm] Nindividualismo m
individualism [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪzəm] n
[behaviour] → individualisme m
individualism
individualism [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəˌlɪzm] nindividualismo
individualism [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəˌlɪzm] nindividualismo


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Of course, it might be said that the Individualism generated under conditions of private property is not always, or even as a rule, of a fine or wonderful type, and that the poor, if they have not culture and charm, have still many virtues.
It was the age of intense individualism, when you were to do right because it was becoming to you, say, as a gentleman, and you were to have an eye single to the effect upon your character, if not your reputation; you were not to do a mean thing because it was wrong, but because it was mean.
As I said, I am an individualist, and individualism is the hereditary and eternal foe of socialism.
 
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