Discussion: Inventing the Individual: The Origins of Western Liberalism

Author: Larry Siedentop

Description: Larry Siedentop’s Inventing the Individual traces the origins of Western liberalism, arguing that the concept of individualism was central to the development of modern Western political and social thought. Siedentop examines how Christianity, particularly the idea of human equality before God, laid the foundation for the development of liberal values like individual rights, personal freedom, and democracy. By analyzing historical figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, and Locke, Siedentop demonstrates how the rise of the individual was integral to the development of the modern world, challenging traditional hierarchical structures and paving the way for contemporary notions of liberty and self-governance.

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