What does it mean to be an individualist? Why are you or why are you not an individualist?

Answer 1

An individualist is NOT someone who says, "This is what society is like, so I'm going to be just the opposite." That's called being a teenager. Teenagers are, despite their rebellious nature, some of the worst conformists around. At no other time in one's life is peer pressure so strong an influence.

What it means to be an individualist is simply that you put your own freedom, reasoning, tastes, etc. over that of the larger society. Individualists believe society's influence on each person should be as minimal as possible, so as to allow each person maximum freedom to live their life as they see fit to. This is also not just what individualists believe, but what they practice.

Some people give lip service to diversity (like Democrats) or to freedom of religious belief (Repubs), but still believe in having gov't "molding" how society should be through its policies & laws. I would not call such people individualists. Individualists are a "live & let live" breed who generally find offense in the notion of using gov't as a "bully pulpit" or in otherwise directing or guiding peoples' lives. Ditto for the institution of the church, even though many individualists may still believe in a god.

While there are individualists of many political & religious beliefs, it's been my experience that libertarians (in the political sphere), objectivists (in the philosophy sphere), and freethinkers tend to be the strongest individualists. I am both a libertarian and freethinker, so I would also count myself as an individualist. I am not an anarchist, but I tend to rely on gov't as little as possible for anything. Likewise I am not a hermit or social recluse, but what I like in fashion, music, culture, etc. are my own tastes, with minimal influence by the larger culture (e.g. pop-culture).

Answer 2

Individualist means that you'd rather work on your own than work with someone or a group of people.

individualists can be better leaders.

Individualists are people who like to do things on their own rather than ask for help from other people even if they need it.

individualists are somewhat loners. they want to have their own space. they are not used to sharing. they are raised to do things on their own because they cannot always expect other people to do things for them.

I do believe i am an individualist, not by choice but by upbringing. i realized that most people are more into sharing stuff or food with others but not me. i don't know why. that's just the way i am. i am not selfsih though. i can give and not ask anything in return but being raised to not depend on others is kinda hard when in a group unless you get used to being in a group. but once you get out of the group you'll eventually go back to being an individualist unless you realize for yourself that being an individualist is not always okay for you or for other people.

I am not strictly an individualist though but i know i am more of it.

Sometimes individualists are misunderstood as selfish people. (well it can be if they chose to be an individualist.) but i think it's just because individualists are used to doing things on their own and get quite faster results for it. but i know there is strength in numbers so i don't really think being an individualist is better or worse. it all depends on how you go on with your life and deal with other people and the world in general.

Answer 3

There are over six billion people on the planet. I don't think that there can be individualist left. Any thought has been thought before, everything has been said and done before. So I think individualism is dead. Now we are in the time of plagiarized non-confirmation. People trying so hard not to confirm, try hard to be individuals, that they all end up looking alike.
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Answer 4

being an individualist is when you don't follow the stereotypes society has branded us with and we stick to what we like, we listen to whatever music we want to and we wear the clothes we want to, its all about being yourself. and yes i am an individualist

Answer 5

individualist -- someone who thinks for himself, do things by himself. a free-spirited person

Answer 6

1. independent thinker: somebody who thinks or behaves independently
2. believer in individualism: somebody who believes in the social or political philosophy of individualism

Answer 7

To have your own sense of yourself, your own ideas, style.
To march to the beat of your own drum.

Answer 8

I am as individual as the next, aren't I ?

Answer 9

an independent thinker not bothered about others.

Answer 10

"I'm not. I'm the same."