Individualism and other views
Still, certain currents proclaim an unlimited search for freedom,
an individualistic overcoming of the follow-ups,
by a self-constructed and dynamic scale of values:
any rethought would only exercise freedom to refuse the consequences which are negatively perceived.
What lines of thought do they follow?
The reply by Gemini:
You're describing a philosophy that prioritizes radical individualism and a kind of self-created morality, where the individual is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong, and even consequences are subject to personal interpretation and acceptance. This line of thinking, while often appealing to a certain desire for absolute autonomy, rests on some problematic assumptions and has some significant potential pitfalls. Let's break down some of the core ideas and the lines of thought that underpin this perspective:
- Existentialism (with a twist): While existentialism emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility, this particular take pushes it to an extreme. Existentialists like Sartre argued that "existence precedes essence," meaning we create our own meaning through our choices. However, even Sartre acknowledged the responsibility we have to all of humanity when we make those choices. The radical individualist version you're describing often disregards this social dimension, focusing solely on the individual's subjective experience.
- Nihilism (potentially): In some cases, this pursuit of unlimited freedom can border on nihilism, the belief that there are no objective moral values or truths. If all values are self-constructed and subjective, then there's no basis for judging one action as inherently better or worse than another. This can lead to a moral relativism where anything goes, as long as the individual perceives it as "freeing."
- Postmodernism (misinterpreted): Some proponents of this view might draw on postmodern ideas about the deconstruction of grand narratives and the fluidity of meaning. However, postmodernism, while critical of universal truths, doesn't necessarily advocate for complete moral relativism. It often emphasizes the importance of context and power dynamics in shaping meaning, something a purely individualistic philosophy might overlook.
- Subjectivism and solipsism: At its core, this line of thinking is deeply rooted in subjectivism, the idea that all knowledge and values are based on individual experience. In its most extreme form, it can even approach solipsism, the belief that only one's own mind is sure to exist. If reality is purely subjective, then there's no external standard against which to judge one's actions or values.
- The "will to power" (Nietzsche, misunderstood): Some might invoke Nietzsche's concept of the "will to power" to justify this pursuit of unlimited freedom. However, Nietzsche's philosophy is complex and often misinterpreted. While he did critique traditional morality, he wasn't advocating for unrestrained egoism. His "will to power" is more about self-overcoming and the creation of new values, not simply the pursuit of selfish desires.
The problems with this view:
- Internal inconsistency: The idea of a purely self-constructed value system runs into problems when it comes to dealing with conflicting desires or values within the individual. How does one choose between competing "freedoms"?
- Social breakdown: A society where everyone acts according to their own subjective morality, with no shared values or principles, would be unsustainable. Cooperation, trust, and even basic social interactions would become nearly impossible.
- Self-defeating nature of unlimited freedom: Paradoxically, the pursuit of unlimited freedom, without any constraints or responsibilities, can lead to its opposite: a life dominated by impulsive actions, fleeting desires, and ultimately, a lack of genuine self-mastery. True freedom, as we discussed earlier, requires responsibility and self-awareness.
- Ignoring consequences: The idea that one can simply refuse the consequences of their actions if they are "negatively perceived" is delusional. Actions have real-world consequences, regardless of how we choose to interpret them. Ignoring these consequences doesn't make them go away.
In summary, while the appeal of unlimited freedom is understandable, this particular line of thinking, based on radical individualism and subjective morality, ultimately undermines the very possibility of a meaningful and fulfilling life, both for the individual and for society as a whole.