Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 7.djvu/844

 INDIVIDUAL

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INDIVIDUAL

as an individual being, I must allow that the existence of other similar beings is, at all events, not impossible. But, the possibility once conceded, all the evidence establishes the existence of other men like myself. Further, experience can establish nothing with more irresistible force for me than that I am not any of these other men, that none of them is myself, that we are distinct individual beings. Finally, the combined experience of my limitations, the self-conscious cogni- tion of my own abiding existence, the self-intimate awareness of my own free volition, the irrefragable assurance that I am answerable for my conduct — all combine to convince me that I am no mere irrespon- sible mode of some pantheistic Aljsolute, no mere flickering dream of an impersonal Mind, but a real unitary being, a free, self-conscious, separate personal- ity, possessed of a genuine individual existence of my own. It is clear that any philosophical theory which is compelled to repudiate or explain away this con- viction of my own individuality, whatever other problems it may claim to solve, cannot claim to be a very rational account of the universe.

Psychology presents us also with a secondary or derived meaning of the word individiialily — the collection of more marked or prominent qualities of Intellect, feeling, and will, by which the character of one man is distinguished from that of other men. We speak of St. Francis of Assisi, or Bismarck, or Abraham Lincoln, or Daniel O'Connell, as men of marked individuality; but the term is applicable to normal mankind also. Every adult human laeing differs from other men by a collection of qualities possessed in varying degrees by each. When the deviation from the normal is marked, yet not of a desirable kind, we speak of it as eccentricity. The root of the qualities whieh subsequently constitute a man's individual character lies in his congenital endowment, partly mental and partlj' physical, though the intimate dependence of soul on body ren- ders it impossible, sometimes, to distinguish them. Obviously, the efficiency of the intellectual powers is conditioned by the perfection of the brain and nervous system. The aptitu<les and dispositions due to his physical constitution are the main factors in the formation of the indiviilual's temperament. (See Character.) It has long been recognized that this is largely due to inheritance. But the scientific study of heredity is still in a most elementary stage. The work of Galton, though useful and suggestive, carries us but a httle waj'. The experiments of Al.iljot Mendel, however, have started lines of research which promise to shed much new light on the principles governing the inheritance of many characteristics throughout the animal kingdom. At the same time, in studying man we must lie on our guard in ascribing to heredity traits which arc the effect of imitation, training, and community of family environment. This is especially to be borne in mind in regard to the children of criminals. The total collection of elements which go to make up the mental constitution of man belong to the cognitive or appetitive faculties, or, according to the modern division, to the intellectual, emotional, or conative activities of the soul. Experi- ence shows that each of these three varies in power and range in different human beings. To some the emotional capacity, to others will-power or intellec- tual aptitude may be more lil)erally allotted at the start. But, strictly speaking, the child is not possessed of a definite, actual individuality. It is endowed rather with potentialities which fi.x an outside limit in various directions to the individual character possible of realization. For, besides the original capital of congenital aptitudes, there is the manner and degree — certainly of not less importance in the final total product — in which each of these aptitudes shall he fostered or starved. Exercise or indulgence during the plastic period develops each faculty and

inclination, whilst each, on the other hand, becomes atrophied and enfeebled b.y neglect or suppression of function. The observation of young children, even of members of the same family, impresses us w'ith the great variety of native capacity and disposition. Dehcacy of sense-perception and observation, power of attention, tenacity of memory, alertness of mind, generosity, passionateuess, self-will, already exhibit themselves in quite different proportions in children of the age of three or four years. But the relative strength to which each faculty will ultimately attain will be conditioned by its future activity. The final result is, in fact, the outcome of nature and nurture combined. A very important point to note, however, is that the general aptitudes and tendencies which contribute most towards the determination of the individual character, although so elastic and modifi- able during the plastic period of youth, congeal and harden rapidly after the period of manhood has been reached, so that there is little capability of change of character later in life — the aggregate of traits and personal qualities that make up the man's individual- ity have crystallized. Hence the priceless worth of the period of youth for education.

Ethics. — The value of individuality as an element of well-being to the individual and the nation or the race is a problem for ethical and political philosophy. Among the chief factors which go to constitute mdi- viduality, or at all events marked individuality, are qualities of will and the conative faculty generally. 'The man of remarkable personality, of strong char- acter, of striking individuality, is one in whom certain aspects of the volitional powers are predominant. These tendencies may in some cases make for evil. Henry VHI and Napoleon each possessed an individ- uality not less distinct than that of Blessed Thomas More or George Washington. Still, the possibility of abuse does not annihilate the value of Ciod's gifts; and amongst these are those excellencies of mind and heart and will which, when i>erniitted a natural and just development, result in strong and varied indiviilualities. Men are distinguished from the lower animals by the possession of individual characters; and enlarged freedom of opportimity in- variably issues in increa.'^ed variety of attainment. Mankind thus becomes richer. God does not repeat himself in the formation of human faces, nor does He in the creation of human souls. Variety is an es.sen- tial element in the beauty of the vmivers( — mental and moral as well as physical. It woidd be a poor world in which men or minds were turned out of a single or a few common moulds. Multiplicity of peoples and languages and forms of government is part of the order of Providence which governs the earth; and the smaller nations have contributed not less precious elements to the well-being of mankind than the largest empires. One disastrous effect of socialism is precisely the crushing out of personal individuality. Indeed a grave evil of modern civili- zation is the menace to in<lividuality involved in the enormous extension of machinery and of production on the large .scale, in the influence of the pre.-is, in state education, and the triumph of the largest nations in the struggle for life. In spite of his errors and exag- gerations, there is a considerable measure of truth in Mill's eloquent plea for the worth of individuality to the human race (On Liberty, c. iii).

Pkdagocics. — If individuality is a valuable asset in the adult man, then a first maxim for the teacher must be: "Respect the individuality of the pupil." .•\s a matter of fact, good teachers na\e always in- stinctively done so. For what does the maxim mean? Study your pupils. Observe their diverse capabil- ities. Note the ta.stes, tendencies, and impulses of each. .Vscertain their exact present attainments, and their varying powers of application. Then modify your method of action so as to adapt it to each child.