New concept of individualism applies

Reading a Chinese translation of Towards a Genealogy of Individualism by the Czech writer Daniel Shanahan reminds me of how this term was once interpreted as being antithetical to the interests of a community before the 1970s.

Given the fact that China is becoming increasingly pluralistic as far as its culture is concerned, individualism will never become a political label that can be used to nail anyone on the slate of shame as it used to be before the 1970s. Yet it does not necessarily mean that many know the real meaning of this term and its relationship with ancient Chinese culture.

This term is by no means a synonym for selfishness or egoism although it emphasizes the interests and rights of an individual. But at the same time, individualism attaches enough importance to the development of individuality, which coincides with the popular saying that self-fulfillment of every individual should be a prerequisite for the progress of a society at large.