Human Development
Individuality
Description:
This is the unique nature of the personality of a human being, whether understood as being the unique qualitative characteristic or as the unique quantitative characteristic (in the sense of a uniqueness of the individual configuration of factor values in the relevant ability and personality factors).Genuine individuality, embodying both discrete particularity and individual uniqueness, is a characteristic of human life. Although the human baby is born more helpless than the young of other species, less "finished", he has within himself the ability and responsibility to complete himself, each stage being an individual "choice". The capacity for self-transcendence is the basis of discrete individuality, for this self-consciousness involves the sharp distinction between the self and the totality of the world. Self-knowledge is thus the basis of discrete individuality.
Such individuality, rather than isolating the individual, enables him to rise above the limitations of his immediate group and to develop a sense of belonging to the whole human race. This gives clarity of approach to human conflicts and inner strength to stand against hypocrisy and falsehood.
Related:
PaternalismIndividualism