Christian eternal-soul doctrine unites extreme individualism with universal equality

Evidence

Nevertheless, the ideal of equality, which unifies, in quite another sense, the most extreme individualization with the most extreme expansion of the circle of associated beings, has never been more encouraged than by the Christian doctrine of the immortal and eternal soul. The soul that faces its God with reliance only upon itself in its metaphysical individuality, the only absolute value of all being, is identical to all others in what ultimately matters. For in the eternal and the absolute, there are no distinctions: men’s empirical differences, confronting the eternal and transcendental, are of no consequence. These individuals are not just the sums of their attributes, in which event they would be as diverse as those; rather, beyond those attributes, each of them is an absolute entity by virtue of personality, freedom, and immortality. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 693

Categorization

• XREF: This is the correlation’s spiritual case-study: maximal self-reliance and maximal circle expansion coincide — the essay could contrast this harmonious unity with urban modernity where the same correlation turns pathological. — connects to: The eighteenth century made abstract universal humanity sacred over particular persons — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 532; Stoic individualism was complemented by cosmopolitanism rooted in universal Reason. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 658; Rising individuality necessarily yields belief in mankind’s ideal unity — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 684 (+7 more)

Related

• Rising individuality necessarily yields belief in mankind’s ideal unity (similarity 0.90)
• Individuality and universal equality historically arise as twin reactions to inequality (similarity 0.85)
• True equality among people is impossible due to inescapable uniqueness (similarity 0.84)
• The eighteenth century made abstract universal humanity sacred over particular persons (similarity 0.83)
• Modern individuality values being this specific irreplaceable person, not mere freedom (similarity 0.83)
• Stoic individualism was complemented by cosmopolitanism rooted in universal Reason. (similarity 0.83)
• The eighteenth century equated individuality with freedom and assumed natural human equality (similarity 0.83)
• Inclusive universal claims arise from within the particular (similarity 0.82)
• Liberated individuals turn from equality toward distinguishing themselves from others (similarity 0.81)
• Individualism of equality and individualism of inequality both require large social circles. (similarity 0.81)
• Individual uniqueness as a value denies equality rather than grounds it (similarity 0.80)
• Each person holds a constant ratio of individual to social factors (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Individuality and universal equality historically arise as twin reactions to inequality #expands (0.70) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 687
• Quakers show extreme collective individualism paired with social regulation of private life #exemplifies (0.60) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 611
• Individual uniqueness as a value denies equality rather than grounds it #complicates (0.55) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 690
• True equality among people is impossible due to inescapable uniqueness #contradicts (0.50) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 187
• The eighteenth century equated individuality with freedom and assumed natural human equality #corroborates (0.50) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 650