Conceptual Analysis of Individualism in Iran and Its Relation with Classical Concepts of Individualism

Author

Assistant Professor, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Research

Abstract

Thinking about moral aspects of extra-personal areas, which include both interpersonal and social areas, can have different starting points. A starting point that has been widely welcomed by many sociologists, psychologists, and some ethicists in Iran is individualism-collectivism. Conceptual analysis of individualism and collectivism is important and needed because Iranian scholars at most are content with a brief definition of the terms individualism-collectivism, despite the fact that the term are widely used. The goal of this paper is to focus on conceptual analysis of individualism and collectivism in Iran.  It reviews the place of these two terms and their connection with other concepts among a number of Iranian scholars.  The prominence of egoism and collective interests for Iranian scholars discussing on individualism and collectivism has led large of them to a common explanation with such Western scholars as Tocqueville and Durkheim: that is, the emphasis of individualism on egoism and the emphasis of collectivism on collective interests. The bottom-line conclusion is that the disparities between classical and Iranian scholars are greater than similarities with regards to their understanding about the concept of individualism.
 

Keywords

Sociology of Social Institutions
Volume 7, Issue 15
September 2020
Pages 9-30

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