Shun individualism
The outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said people should see themselves according to their relationships with others, not as an âatomised individualâ.
Speaking at the fifth Theos annual lecture on the topic, âThe person and the individual: human dignity, human relationships and human limitsâ, Dr Williams called for a ânew understanding of personhoodâ.
He said individualism corrodes politics, sex and ultimately our whole way of living, and that our society needs to move away from defining people as atomised individuals, detachable from their relationships. Otherwise, we feed unhealthy desires for the perfect body and perfect career, rather than nourishing deep personal connections.
Dr Williams also told the attendees, who gathered for the lecture at Londonâs Westminster Central Hall, âI donât really like the word âtoleranceâ, as it is a low-level concept which can lead to indifferenceâ.
For the full recording of the lecture, go to www.theosthinktank.co.uk
