Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual.
- the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action.
- the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests; egoism.
- individual character; individuality.
- an individual peculiarity.
- Philosophy.
- the doctrine that only individual things are real.
- the doctrine or belief that all actions are determined by, or at least take place for, the benefit of the individual, not of society as a whole.
noun
- the action or principle of asserting one’s independence and individuality; egoism
- an individual quirk or peculiarity
- another word for laissez faire (def. 1)
- philosophy the doctrine that only individual things exist and that therefore classes or properties have no realityCompare Platonism, realism (def. 5)
“self-centered feeling,” 1827, from individual + -ism. As a social philosophy (opposed to communism and socialism) first attested 1851 in writings of J.S. Mill.
A majority can never replace the individual. … Just as a hundred fools do not make one wise man, a heroic decision is not likely to come from a hundred cowards. [Adolf Hitler, “Mein Kampf,” 1933]
A view that stresses the importance and worth of each person. In economics, it is the doctrine that individuals best serve the public interest by pursuing their own self-interest. For example, the businessman who expands his company to increase his profits also creates jobs for many people and thereby serves the public interest. (See laissez-faire.)