Individualism vs Commuunitarianism
Order Instructions:
Drawing only on the readings for this topic, examine the tensions between the claim to individual autonomy and the obligation to conform to the expectations of the wider community. Answer with reference to immunization. You should discuss the tensions firstly in the broader, theoretical context, before using your chosen issue to illustrate the tensions. In other words, the issue is not the thesis or focus of the discussion of the essay—the issue merely illustrates the discussion. You can draw on sources from outside the reader but only to give the issue some context.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Individualism vs Commuunitarianism
Introduction
The friction between liberalism and communitarianism has become a prominent centre of argument in the world and today the issue remains both extremely complex and to a larger extent not resolved. Some scholars feel that it is an impasse between individual independence and communitarian thinking that dictates the differences. The constitution which is composed of the bill of rights talks about the rights of each person in the society. These principles are contained in the liberal argument. However, on the other hand, those who support communitarianism believe that a society is a social set up hence people complement each other (Coltheart, 2013).
Discussion
The health of the public health is controlled by rules and regulations. Communicable diseases require immunization so as to contain them. However, whether to force people to get immunized or to let people decide for themselves has remained a very controversial subject. To assume that it is easier to achieve human dignity without prior consideration of their social surrounding is to fail to appreciate the community as the defining factor of people’s identity. Communitarian critics argue that human rights advocates are the main cause of social breakdown. Human rights have been used to promote individual freedom. The customary law according to some scholars is used to enhance independence hence some level of worthiness among individuals. These factors promote social characters that ensure the community is well protected away from any form of threat like the infectious disease.
According to some scholars, communitarianism places more emphasis on the importance of respecting independence of every individual hence human rights. This is in contrast to the perception that they propose adherence to the universally acceptable principles which guide the way people behave.
On the other hand, based on individual autonomy, philosophers argue that the principle comes with a moral obligation. An individual has the powers to choose and evaluate each decision before agreeing to do anything. According to this principle, an individual is not mandated to subscribe to a universally accepted norm in society. Based on this argument, an individual is perceived to be rational hence reasons and makes an independent move. In the case of immunization, an individual is able to reflect on the end results of this undertaking including those he or she thinks are right and wrong. Individual analyses under liberal theory entails considering the effects that a decision has on others. The most important of all the interests thought about is the one that stands at a maximum point. Therefore the individual decision will be the one that enhances justice and protects individual rights to existence and liberty.
However, according to the communitarian critics of liberalism, the perception of individual autonomy in line with moral principle is not real. Based on this point, it is argued that moral agents in a realistic society do not decide what they want to do. Such kind of people does not have a uniform standing point in terms of their moral principles. Moral standpoint is ultimately determined by the environment. Based on this argument, what is considered moral is very particular hence deciding on what is moral is not very possible. According to Communitarians, what is good dictates what is right. A complete moral principle should therefore constitute all these moral norms (Kymlicka, 2012).
According to the above argument, communitarian as compared to individual autonomy respects the shared understandings of different individuals. However, liberal principles challenge the communitarian point of view in terms of moral identity of the whole society. In addition, the principle challenges the fact that internal evaluation is capable of differentiating between good and bad practices within the society. The liberals criticize the thinking that communitarian represents the views of all the people. According to these proponents, communitarianism only represents few individuals in the society (Mulhall & Swift, 2014).
Immunization is perceived by communitarians as being a direct link with the people within a society. The result of this association benefits every individual within the society. The shared good among all the individuals within the community enhances the bonding of all the members. Moral standing of the entire community is well defined by these principles besides its justification (Okin, 2013).
Conclusion
Individual independence and communitarian engagement are both very important principles when it comes to adoption of an immunization program. Every decision taken by either an individual or the entire community has a direct impact on the livelihoods of the whole society. The most important factor that dictates the way people behave in a society is the moral principles. One has to consider individual interest and the interest of the entire community when making any decision. Consequently, both principles are good hence ought to be chosen based on individual preferences. This move will eliminate cases of tension within the society when it comes to the immunization program which is a social activity.
References
Coltheart, L. 2013. ‘Desire, Consent and Liberal theory’ in C. Pateman & E. Gross (eds.), Feminist Challenges: Social and Political Theory. Boston: NorthEastern University Press
Kymlicka, W. 2012. Liberalism, Community and Culture. Oxford: Clarendon Press
Mulhall, S. and Swift, A. 2014. Liberals and Communitarians. Oxford: Blackwell
Okin, S.M. 2013. ‘Humanist Liberalism’ in N.L. Rosenblum (ed.), Liberalism and the Moral Life. Massachusetts: Harvard University Press
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