The Individual and His Value

Abstract

I do not insist on the propriety of terming Plato a holder of individualism, even a latent individualism, for the ancient Greeks had no term for individualism. The term itself is unimportant, although I believe there is a sort of individualism in Plato’s thought. The fundamental concept or principle of individualism is the priority in value or worth of the individual over all else, especially over the social institutions and the state itself. Of course, this does not mean that the individual is completely free to do as he pleases or that he has no obligations to the state. His freedom of action is limited by the right of other individuals to do as they individually desire within the limits of the law. His obligations to the state require from him certain concessions and sacrifices. These are not means for maintaining or increasing the state’s power and authority for its own sake, but rather for ensuring the ability of the individual citizens to fulfill their individuality however it may be understood.