Human beings are distinct persons, created in the image of God.  The idea of an “autonomous individual,” however, is a little lie we tell ourselves in order to make the modern world work — there is no such thing.  We human-beings are social creatures, and every action we take is done under the auspices of (or in reaction to) the groups to which we belong.  Those teachers we take, the books we read, the friends we embrace, the families from which we spring, and even the sources of our news and information we use all serve to color our perceptions.  It is inescapable.

Now, the idea of the “autonomous individual” isn’t without it’s uses.  It serves to mitigate some of the more destructive aspects of a herd mentality (where any deviation from the norm is quickly punished).  It also frees people to innovate because we believe we are “doing our own thing,” and in that innovation we’re all moved forward.  Some kicking and screaming.

We are not, however, autonomous.  This is a truth we must be aware of so that, even as we embrace the myth of individualism, we are able to recognize the impulses of our herds/clans/groups/packs on our ideas and decisions.  For, if we don’t train ourselves to recognize them and believe myth without reflection, we leave ourselves open to the very destructive impulses individualism seeks to correct.