200 years ago, people would have viewed the pursuit of “finding yourself” or acting “in your own way of living” morally repulsive. Yet, today it is spoken of as the highest achievement of the enlightenment.
But with this champion of ideals, many issues of the present day can be attributed, at least in part, to this. Higher divorce rates, lack of civil participation, people less rooted or connected to their home of origin.
Though it brings with it greater freedom, individuality also leads to phenomena of Moral Subjectivism and Instrumental Reason. These in turn tempt and contribute to self-centred ways of living.
Yet, there is no repealing the allure of the individual. The freedom to “be yourself” comes with greater temptations of self-indulgent narcissism. And thus it also demands a higher sense of responsibility. We have the freedom of choice to rise to the true ideal of authenticity or sink into the shallowness of self-pleasure.
Connections
Authenticity & Morality Often Are At Odds
Narcissistic Authenticity Drives The Individual Towards Instrumental Reasoning
Self-Discovery Requires Dialogue With The World
Reference
� The Ethics of Authenticity