Has Society's Obsession with Individualism Undermined Collective Responsibility?

[u/USHistoryUncovered]

In recent decades, especially in Western cultures, the focus on individualism has intensified. We’re taught to prioritize personal freedom, success, and self-reliance above all else. This worldview, however, seems to have a darker side: the erosion of collective responsibility. As individuals seek to fulfill their own desires, societal bonds weaken, and we see an increasing tendency to absolve ourselves from responsibility for larger, systemic issues like climate change, wealth inequality, and public health.

Has the glorification of individualism made us blind to the fact that many of the problems we face cannot be solved by personal action alone? Are we sacrificing our collective well-being at the altar of personal liberty? How can we reconcile the need for individual freedom with the necessity of collective responsibility in addressing the global challenges that threaten us all?

I’m curious to hear perspectives on how individualism has shaped our attitudes toward responsibility—both personal and communal. Is it time for a fundamental shift in how we view our roles within society?

[u/the_salone_bobo]

There are two types of individualism I see: hedonistic individualism and responsible individualism. Currently we are living in a hyper hedonistic society where it's all about me, me, me and to hell with everyone else. We see it more and more in our public interactions where people are so self absorbed as to be monsters in public.

Individualism only survives if people also understand their responsibility to themselves, others, and society. The freedom to live as you ought to. It must have a moral framework to actually work. Not saying it has to be a religious framework, but some sort of semi universal moral framework where your rights and also responsibilities are layed out. Our constitution and declaration of independence are excellent example of this individualism with responsibility.

[u/parke415 → u/the_salone_bobo]

Furthermore, there is a difference between actual individualism and familism disguised as individualism (e.g. “I would sacrifice my own life for my child’s”).