Individualism as a Malaise of Modernity.
Submitted By: Denis Venderov
Submitted To: Professor D.S. Hutchinson
Co-Instructor: Paul Los
T.A. Janette Dinishak
Course: PHL 102Y
Date Due: March 27, 2003
Position Paper #7
Assigned Reading: Charles Taylor "The Malaise of Modernity"
Individualism as a Malaise of Modernity.
In the beginning of his book The Malaise of Modernity, Charles Taylor introduced to us three major malaises that, to his opinion, disturb and endanger our civilization. Those malaises are very familiar to us; moreover they are frequently discussed and argued amongst us. However, a ccording to Taylor, it's the great familiarity and acknowledgment of these things that blurs our vision and misrepresents to us their true concepts. The first malaise introduced to us is individualism. Taylor thought that individualism, even though it is considered to be the finest achievement of modern civilization, destroyed the hierarchy and the natural order of human society. The second "disenchantment" of the world that Taylor talked about was the so called "primacy of instrumental reason". By "instrumental reason" he meant the idea that "things that ought to be determined by other criteria will be decided in terms of efficiency or "cost-benefit" analysis, that the independent ends that ought to be guiding our lives will be eclipsed by the demand to maximize profit."(pg 5) Finally, the last depression that the author referred to was a loss of personal freedom under a power of mild and paternalistic government. Even though examples and arguments that Charles Taylor provides to prove his suggestions and ideas are all very interesting and reasonable, due to space constraints I will only discuss and develop on his idea of individualism as a great achievement of modern civilization and as a malaise and a source for decline of human society.
At first, Taylor refers to individualism as a finest achievement of modern society. At our days individualism allows us to be individual persons, to be human being and not a slave or a serial number as it was a century or a few ago. Among many different human rights individualism gives us a right to choose our own destiny and way of life. "People are no longer sacrificed to the demands of supposedly sacred orders that transcend them." (pg 2) In other words, we are free. However, many people, according to Taylor, still think that the process of ...
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At first, Taylor refers to individualism as a finest achievement of modern society. At our days individualism allows us to be individual persons, to be human being and not a slave or a serial number as it was a century or a few ago. Among many different human rights individualism gives us a right to choose our own destiny and way of life. "People are no longer sacrificed to the demands of supposedly sacred orders that transcend them." (pg 2) In other words, we are free. However, many people, according to Taylor, still think that the process of individualism is incomplete. "There is still economic arrangements, or patterns of family life, or traditional notions of hierarchy still restrict too much our freedom to be ourselves."(pg 2) As a matter of fact, few people want to go back on this achievement and even fewer people see what is wrong with it.
Now, let's look at the other side of the coin and see what this "fine" achievement cost us. Before individualism was even thought of, the idea of a social hierarchy and a "great chain of Being" dominated amongst mankind. Everything and everyone came in moral and logical order after each other. Everything and everybody was a part of the larger order, thus everyone had a meaning. Consider for example a "great chain of Being" referred by the author. The position and every aspect of this
chain is not random. Every feature, be it a rock or an angel, has a
significance given to them by their place. Even though, according
to Taylor, this hierarchy restricted us of our freedom and rights,
"this order gave meaning to the world and to the activities of social
life."(pg 3) During the transformation from hierarchy to individual-
ism human beings lost something very-very important along the
way, they had lost the meaning of their life. "People no longer have
a sense of higher purpose, of something worth dying for."(pg 4) -
states Taylor. People became dedicated to nothing and no one except to themselves. They became free of any kind of hierarchical or social duties which led them to selfish and individual existence. "This loss of purpose was linked to narrowing. People lost the broader vision because they focused on their individual lives. [...] In other words the dark side of individualism is centering on the self, which both flattens and narrows our lives, makes them poorer in meaning, and less concerned with others or society."(pg 4) Therefore, the major part pf the malaise that Taylor identifies is the general loss of meaning which has accompanied individualism. He also says that it is important for people to see themselves against the "horizons of significance."(pg 4)
It is a little bit hard for me to state my position in regards with this issue since Charles Taylor approaches this topic from positive and mostly negative side. However, I think I would disagree with Taylor on that matter since I do not think that it is individualism that brings disorder and destruction into our world. To my opinion individualism is not even close to being a malaise. In my opinion, all above consequences are an outcome of the people's personality (which is based on values and morals) and upbringing, but not his(her) individualism and overwhelming freedom. If a person wanted to be careless and free no one would be able to make him(her) responsible and/or dutiful for/to something. But, if a person is being raised with certain values and respect, it would be his(her) duty to pay those respects back and stand up to the values he(she) been taught of. I do agree that individualism is a negative phenomenon, but I would not confront it with a word civilization or humanity. You can not generalize everybody. It is easy for me to compare two different societies and thus two different impacts and result that individualism caused on them because I lived in two very different countries. To my opinion, the impact of individualism and its consequences differ in every country and in every society. Let me explain. Firstly, on page four Taylor says: "Many people think that the process of individualism is still incomplete since [...] patterns of family life [...] still restrict too much our freedom to be ourselves."(pg 4) I have to admit that I have never heard anything as bizarre. If your family restricts you from being yourself, then why would you make a family in the first place? Taylor makes it sound like family is a burden for all people. To me, my family is the most important thing that I have. My family cares about me and I care about my family. It does not matter how individualistic or how free of everything I will become, it will never be any different. But maybe it's just me... Secondly, "People no longer have a sense of a higher purpose, of something worth dying for." (pg 4) I do not know how "free" and "individualistic" you have to become in order not to have at least one thing that is worth for you to die for. I consider myself a free individual with control over my life and destiny but still, if you'll wake me up in the middle of the night and ask me: 'what will you die for?', I will name you at least two things without even thinking and opening my eyes: 'My family and my fatherland'. Please don't think that it is some kind of political propaganda that I got under an influence of, it's just me and my values. Thirdly, "This loss of purpose was linked to narrowing. People lost the broader vision because they focused on their individual lives."(pg 4)- writes Charles Taylor. This, to my opinion, is a huge problem for our society. But again, I would not relate it to all people in general and thus I would disagree that freedom and notion of individualism caused this problem to occur. I believe this problem hidden in people's values and mentality. Many people live their life just in order to make a happy/wealthy retirement for themselves, but on the other hand many (and I hope the most) people live their life in order to achieve their goals and dreams such as to raise children that you could be proud of, to build a house, to contribute to society or to fly to the moon or whatever...every person should have a dream.
Therefore, I do not think that individualism and too much freedom is what is wrong with the present world. Pride, jealousy, ignorance and etc. are way worse than a little bit of selfishness...
But again, maybe it's just me and my own individuality...!
