Definition Essay
Individuality
Every human being is labeled an individual with their own specific characteristics that indicate their personality. However, it is rare that ones individuality is ever really present and separated from another. Individuality is the particular and distinct characteristics of someone that is strongly marked through actions, emotions, thoughts etc that develops ones identity. Individuality represents an independence and difference in ones nature and disposition unlike the resemblance of the common and ordinary characteristics in society, which show no contrast from one person to another. Individuality is not a dependence on ones surrounding influences such as the universal and general ideals, which revolve around the foundations of society.
Individuality gives people their own notable identity through characteristically prominent features and qualities. When ones character differs from another, their presence is more noticeable to others. English philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill states in his work entitled On Liberty that:
He who lets the world or his own portion of it choose his plan of life for him has no need of any other faculty than the ape-like one of imitation. He who chooses his plan for himself employs all his faculties. He must use observation to see, reasoning and judgment to foresee, activity to gather materials for decision, and when he has decided, firmness and self-control to hold to his deliberate decision. (123)
Many times human individuality becomes nonexistent in favor of the broader ideals that connect everyone in a society. One loses himself amongst his surroundings and instead mimics the character of others. He no longer uses his own capabilities to develop his own identity. The oneness of a relationship, community, society, family etc, leaves no room for ones own individuality and therefore one human being is just a replica of another with no need for the mind, body, soul, logic etc that makes up an individual.
To be your own person is a concept that many only think they exert. Individuality defines your identity and once developed provides self-confidence, self-assurance, and self-esteem in ones own self. In his same work, Mill states:
In proportion to the development of his individuality, each person becomes more valuable to himself, and is, therefore, capable of being more valuable to others. There is a greater fullness of life about his own existence, and when there is more life in the units there is more in the mass which is composed of them…The means of development which the individual loses by being prevented from gratifying his inclinations to the injury of others are chiefly obtained at the expense of the development of other people. (127-128)
Not only is ones individuality of importance to themselves, but also to the others with whom they share their society. The development of ones own individuality has a greater magnitude then just the theory itself. Individuality gives meaning to a community, relationship, family etc because through every individual there is a seed that contributes to the growth of these emotional associations.
Individuality develops through ones' emotions, actions, and logic. Ones' individuality exerts to their surroundings who they are. The development of individuality among humans creates a better sense of oneself and others. When this is developed, it also gives one freedom. The feeling of confinement that one has when they haven't developed their own identity keeps the person under the control of another.
For instance, the use of propaganda may easily manipulate a person; however, the person must either first doubt themselves or not form their own opinion on the issue. A person who has developed their identity and found their individuality, more than likely will have less of a chance of being brainwashed. This person has exclusively conceived his/her own opinion and through self-assurance, is able to keep firm behind it. Others waiver behind their opinions and, therefore, dismiss their own instincts.
Individuality has such an extreme importance to the continuation of the human species in that all our differences brings diversity in knowledge, reasoning, religion, culture etc. Furthermore, as Charles Darwin said survival of the fittest. If we all were nothing more than replicas of one another and we never evolved, the human species would die out.