Development Of Individuals example essay topic

The 20th centaury is considered to be a money culture. Materialism, a devotion to making money and to having a good time are all products of a money making culture. All of technology is controlled by an interest in private profit (Dewey, p 15). Sigmund Freud and John Dewy both see this day in age as a time devoted to the "scientific revolution" and profit from this drastic advance in mankind.

Civilization, as we know it today, is largely to blame for the misery of the common people. The American people no longer have a sense of individualism. Luxuries have become a necessity instead of a vice and materialism has become a way of life. The characteristics of the modern world surround the importance of the attainment of material possessions and the conformity of its citizens. It also coincides with the destructive nature of mankind. According to Dewey, society is divided into two classes: the working class and the intellectual class.

The modern age consists of a "spirit of progress which consists of a manifest of change in fashions, invention of new machines, and the power of overproduction" (Dewey, p 6). Now, these are all things we take for granted as society has developed into the "religion of prosperity" (Dewey, p 6). Worth has become a measurement of how well one is capable of holding one's own and get ahead. It is a tough and competitive market which has been established in our American culture and in order to be successful a person must be willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. It is a matter of the becoming "economically fit", so to speak; it is in this method of survival which becomes the struggle for existence. What makes me laugh though is the concept I personally hold very true to be a valid part of what makes us human, of something that we all share in common, is the drive to attain happiness and avoid suffering.

Yet, the American culture thrives upon gaining any sort of personal advantage driven by an ambition to succeed at any human cost. Ironically, owning a 'selfish creed' is frowned upon. People 'seek power, success and wealth for themselves and admire them in others, ... There are few men from whom their contemporaries do not withhold admiration, although their greatness rests on attributes and achievements which are completely foreign to the aims and ideals of the multitude" (Freud, p 10). This brings up the first of a few contradictions. The general feeling of people who are a part of such a society are considerably 'bewildered, uneasy, restless, and constantly seeking something new and different only to come across the same thing' (Dewey, p 8).

People are notably marked as suffering from their insecurities causing them great unrest, impatience and irritation. People expand in their 'feverish love of anything as long as it is a change which is distracting, ' (Dewey, p 28) and so long as this is happening the results (impatience, unsettlement, nervous discontentment and this desire for excitement) are not native elements of human nature. These feelings stem from the rapid industrialization that took people unaware causing those feelings of being 'mentally and morally unprepared' (Dewey, p 8). Therefore, instead of the development of individuals in this evolution, there is a 'preservation of the whole ideal of individualism to conform to the practices this culture' (Dewey, p 9). Conformity is what is to blame for the lack of individualism in America Aims and standards become confused beyond recognition.

The tragedy of this sort of individual is due to the 'fact that while individuals are now caught up into a vast complex of associations, there is no harmonious and coherent reflection of the import of these contradictions into the imaginative and emotional outlook on life' (Dewey, p 41). However, the American mind is still new and developing. America is also one of the most influential cultures in the world sweeping across nations shaping a new standard of living. As a matter of fact, (and on a positive note) improving the standard of living.

Sadly, at the same time American culture enables the longevity of the externality and superficiality of the 'American soul. ' The major question posed is how to transcend this culture we, as Americans, exist in at present. The corporate influence limits the choices of actions for an individual creating uniformity which takes away from chances of an individual to be considered unique. Actually, the importance of buying from these corporate industries rests on the very survival of this society; it almost becomes an obligation or duty. 'It is a question of how much real satisfaction he can expect to get from the external world, how far he is led to make himself independent of it, and, finally, how much strength he feels he has for altering the world to suit his wishes" (Freud, p 34).

There can be a solution found in a new individualism developed through the controlled use of all of the resources presented to our society (by science and technology) instead of an extravagant use of these advances. Also, though we can not say for certain what the future holds, I personally find that the 'younger generation's how ing an interest in the arts presents a hopeful break out from this current material mode. It is also very important then for adults to be enriched in the arts to influence youth. I do agree with Dewey when he says that it is 'impossible for a highly industrialized society to attain a wide spread high excellence of mind when the multitude are excluded from occasions for the use of thought and emotion in their daily occupations' (Dewey, p 64-65). I truly believe that every occupation has an effect on an individual and ultimately changes their outlook on life. I feel fortunate to be given some support to explore an occupation that does fulfill an intellectual and emotional drive (I'm talking about acting).

The occupations delivered through the arts can aid in creating a better society. I personally feel a sense of purpose in my life and it strikes me in a way to deliver these messages and help transcend some of what is destroying our sense of individualism.