Research Paper on:
Personal Freedom and Individualism

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
more information on using this paper properly! Before we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of individualism and personal freedom, it would be helpful to define or explain these terms.  Individualism is defined as "A value system, central to classical liberalism and capitalism, which upholds choice, personal freedom, and self-orientation" (Drislane and Parkinson, 2001). This definition further refers one to  review the description of classical liberalism, which is then explained as "A political and economic philosophy emerging along with the growth of capitalism. The central belief is that unregulated free  markets are the best means to allocate productive resources and distribute goods and services and that government intervention should be minimal. Behind this is an assumption about individuals being rational,  self-interested and methodical in the pursuit of their goals" (Drislane and Parkinson, 2001). A number of writers have asserted that the concepts of individualism and freedom come from the Bible.  For example, OBrien says that "Inasmuch as individualism grows out of the biblical teaching that each person is valuable and bears the divine image, it is the fount of human  rights and personal freedom" (1999). Younkins explained that individualism is a philosophy or view that each and every person "has moral significance and certain rights that are either of  divine origin or inherent in human nature" (1998). Each individual then thinks, acts, and experiences from his or her own point of view. The individualist "assumes responsibility for thinking for  himself, for acting on his own thought, and for achieving his own happiness" (Younkins, 1998). Younkins goes on to say that "Freedom is the natural condition of the individual. From  birth, each person has the potential to think his own thoughts and control his own energies in his efforts to act according to those thoughts" (Younkins, 1998). Unless the individual