英美文化概况论文l论美国文化的精髓——个人主义

The essence of American culture

-individualism

Abstract:Individualism as a typical Western capitalist political and social philosophy,that the supremacy of personal values.The United States is a typical representative of the values of individualism,individualism is an important part of the American spirit.American individualism, rational principles derived from the Christian spirit and the pursuit of individual autonomy.In the process of development of American culture,it became the starting point of American Thought and destination,constitute the essence of American culture.

Key words:the essence of the individualistic culture

"Individualism"in Western culture,especially in American culture plays an important role." Individualism,"the earliest use of the term is French form of"individualism",from the Europeans and so-called root causes of the French Revolution-Enlightenment thinking-common reactions.But first systematic use of"individualism"is the term the mid-1820s,Saint-Simon's followers.Perhaps because of the pervasive influence of Saint-Simon doctrine,"individualism" in the19th century the term has been very widely used,developed into a personal ideology and theory,that is a political philosophy Western philosophy and social.Its main contents are:emphasizing the value of the subject,I believe that everyone has value,a high degree of importance of individual self-control,self-control,self-development.Individualism is based on individual-based philosophy of life.

However,the true meaning of individualism varies.In France,it usually carries a negative connotation,even it remains so,means that the emphasis on individual will be more harmful to the interests of the community.For some people,individualism is a dangerous idea;in others it seems,individualism is a social or economic anarchy,the lack of the necessary systems and standards;some people believe that it is the universal personal selfish attitude.Socialists are simply"individualism"is equivalent to a"socialist"and"communism"of the opposite.French liberals talk about individualism,but regarded it as a minimum of state intervention and political freedom in order of greatest threat to a pluralistic society.And in France,in sharp contrast,the" individualism"is the term romanticism in Germany,but the label affixed.German for" individualism"is a personal understanding of self-completion and the organic unity of the individual and society.

There are profound differences between East and West,most of the Eastern countries, especially China,Japan and South Korea to"individualism"as with"collectivism"contrary to the values-oriented.That"individualism"is"all personal interests as the starting point of thinking......the performance of selfish,mercenary,intrigues,etc.";"Modern Chinese Dictionary"interpretation of"individualism"is"everything from the individual starting their personal interests to put collective interests,their own interests,regardless of other people's wrong thinking."In short,Chinese culture,individualism is synonymous with self-interest,is a derogatory term.

In Western culture,emphasizing the individual-oriented values dominate,but only in the American culture,individualism is only part of the essence of the development to the point of culmination,and was as a fundamental value to be highly respected.However,in the United States,"individualism"was originally sang of capitalism and liberal democracy,the emergence