Question 69

As an atheist, what does the word 'individualist' mean to you, and do you consider yourself to be one?

• An individualist is someone who's willing to be themselves for themselves, above the opinions of the crowd. Preferably who succeeds. (DireWolf10)

• I think the word is pretty meaningless for no two people look at things in the exact same way. (Stoney #9)

• To me, an individualist is one who doesn't seek others' opinions on how he/she should behave. Yes, I consider myself to be an individualist. (Fred Stone #1369)

• "...An unrepentant Fenian bastard With respect for all who refuse to be mastered" -(From radio station WBAI (New York), "RRadio Free Erin" Program theme song")

  Seriously, it can mean many different things, from the sociopath who rejects any kind of connection with others, to objectivists, to leftist radicals, to entrepreneurs, to alienated youths, to rebels against the status quo, to anyone who simply thinks for themself and uses their Sagan Baloney Detector (TM) (with the Ockham's Razor Attachment activated) to evaluate any information they're being fed, to anyone who questions authority like hell, because they know that if they don't there's always the chance that one day authority may question *them*, to many other profiles.

  > and do you consider yourself to be one?

  This unrepentant Fenian bastard will admit to the parts about thinking for ones self, the "Baloney Detector" and questioning authority. Not guilty to any other charges, your honor! ;)

  But, since it was a direct question, it deserves a direct answer: Fuck, yes! (raven1 #1096)

• To me it means someone who sees him/herself as someone not following group thinking and leading their life according to their own moral and social code. It was our glorious UberFurher Margaret Thatcher (sarcasm) who stated that there was "no such thing as society, only individuals." A statement that lead to much criticism and debate here in the UK. I think the general public took it the wrong way. Which sort of disproved the whole point, since they are so easily manipulated by the press. I think individualism is relative. I conform to many ideals and systems, but I do my best to follow my own opinions where I have a choice.

  As far as I can be, I say that I am. And my atheism is a strong part of it too. (PinkyMan #1365)

• Tricky.

  As a "dyed in the wool" cynic, I find the concept of an "individualist", to be self contradictory.

  For example, I am not a "joiner", which places me firmly into the group of people who are "not joiners", I am not a theist, which places me squarely in the group of "non theists" and by extention, in the group called "atheists".

  So here we see the dilema, by denying one membership, I automaticly take on another;

  I am not a joiner, and yet I have joined.

  IMHO, there is no such thing as an individualist, there is only "wannabe individualists".

  Did once, then reality overtook me. (Puck #162)