The Christian Roots of Individualism

The modern West has made the focus on individuality, individual freedom, and self-identity central to its self-definition, and these concepts have been crucially shaped by Christianity. This book surveys how the birth of the Christian worldview affected the evolution of individualism in Western culture as a cultural meme. Applying a biological metaphor and Richard Dawkins' definition of a meme, this work argues the advent of individualism was not a sudden innovation of the Renaissance or the Enlightenment, but a long evolution with characteristic traits. This evolution can be mapped using profiles of individuals in different historical eras who contributed to the modern notion of individualism. Utilizing excerpts from original works from Augustine to Nietzsche, a compelling narrative arises from the slow but steady evolution of the modern self. The central argument is that Christianity, with its characteristic inwardness, was fundamental in the development of asense of self as it affirmed the importance of the everyday man and everyday life.

Auteur

Maureen P. Heath received a Doctorate in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University in 2018. She previously served as an Air Force officer and as a Vice President at Northrup Grumman Corporation. This is her first book.

Contenu

1. Introduction

2. Values and Worldviews

3. Augustine and The Inner-Self Meme

4. Abelard, Heloise, and Ockham: The Intentional-Self Meme

5. Dante: The Responsible-Self Meme

6. Pico Della Mirandola: The Self-Made Man Meme

7. Luther: The Autonomous-Self Meme

8. Montaigne: The Subjective-Self Meme

9. Locke: The Natural Rights Meme

10. Epilogue: Conclusions