The history of humanity has witnessed several �isms� in the
past�Modernism, Rationalism, Idealism, Empiricism, etc. The name of
each movement points out their dominant characteristic. Any one
�ism� that we can name cannot exhaust the reality of world today,
because it is characterized by complexity of problems, issues,
concerns and movements.
One of the �isms� that is prevalent, and that which grows in an
alarming speed in the world today is that of �individualism�. The
world of individualism has the least population�One. The established
social units of family, village, and the state are being
increasingly destroyed. The ties that kept parents and children as
one unit in the past are growing weak day by day. Many families are
falling apart. Relationships are progressively and increasingly
broken down. People have become conscious of themselves as an
individual as never before.
Individualism leads to deadly competition which sets everyone,
consciously or unconsciously against his/her neighbor; makes people
vulnerable to boredom and loneliness; sets us slaves of stress and
depression; takes away the joy of living-together as brothers and
sisters united.
If distorted views about life�we are valuable for our wealth,
position, competency�lead to individualism, correct views on life
can remedy the situation. The basic truth about life that it becomes
meaningful, worthwhile and joyful only when individuals give
themselves as gifts to others in charity. Hence, charity reigns
supreme in life.
