The essence of American culture
-individualism
Abstract:Individualism as a typical Western capitalist political and social philosophy , that the supremacy of personal values . The United States is a typical representative of the values of individualism , individualism is an important part of the American spirit . American individualism, rational principles derived from the Christian spirit and the pursuit of individual autonomy . In the process of development of American culture , it became the starting point of American Thought and destination , constitute the essence of American culture .
Key words : the essence of the individualistic culture
" Individualism " in Western culture, especially in American culture plays an important role. " Individualism ," the earliest use of the term is French form of "individualism", from the Europeans and so-called root causes of the French Revolution - Enlightenment thinking - common reactions .But first systematic use of " individualism " is the term the mid- 1820s, Saint-Simon's followers. Perhaps because of the pervasive influence of Saint-Simon doctrine , " individualism " in the 19th century the term has been very widely used , developed into a personal ideology and theory , that is a political philosophy Western philosophy and social . Its main contents are :emphasizing the value of the subject , I believe that everyone has value , a high degree of importance of individual self- control , self-control , self-development . Individualism is based on individual-based philosophy of life .
However , the true meaning of individualism varies . In France, it usually carries a negative connotation , even it remains so , means that the emphasis on individual will be more harmful to the interests of the community . For some people , individualism is a dangerous idea ; in others it seems , individualism is a social or economic anarchy , the lack of the necessary systems and standards ; some people believe that it is the universal personal selfish attitude. Socialists are simply " individualism " is equivalent to a "socialist " and " communism" of the opposite .French liberals talk about individualism , but regarded it as a minimum of state intervention and political freedom in order of greatest threat to a pluralistic society . And in France, in sharp contrast, the " individualism " is the term romanticism in Germany , but the label affixed . German for " individualism " is a personal understanding of self- completion and the organic unity of the individual and society .
There are profound differences between East and West , most of the Eastern countries , especially China , Japan and South Korea to " individualism " as with "collectivism" contrary to the values-oriented. That " individualism " is "all personal interests as the starting point of thinking ... ... the performance of selfish , mercenary, intrigues , etc. "; "Modern Chinese Dictionary" interpretation of " individualism " is " everything from the individual starting their personal interests to put collective interests, their own interests , regardless of other people's wrong thinking . " In short, Chinese culture, individualism is synonymous with self-interest , is a derogatory term .
In Western culture , emphasizing the individual -oriented values dominate , but only in the American culture , individualism is only part of the essence of the development to the point of culmination , and was as a fundamental value to be highly respected . However, in the United States , " individualism " was originally sang of capitalism and liberal democracy, the emergence
