Schleiermacher made individual uniqueness itself a moral imperative

Evidence

For him, the moral task is that each person should represent mankind in a particular manner. Certainly, each individual is a synthesis of the forces that constitute the universe. Yet out of this material that is common to all, each one creates an entirely unique configuration. It is the realization of this incomparability, the filling of a space held in reserve for him alone, that is the moral duty of the individual. Each person is called to realize his own, his very own prototype. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 539

Categorization

• DEFINE: A crisp statement of Schleiermacher’s qualitative individualism — the standard against which blasé detachment is a failure, useful for the essay’s theoretical frame.
• XREF: connects to: Individual uniqueness as a value denies equality rather than grounds it — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 690; The eighteenth century equated individuality with freedom and assumed natural human equality — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 650; The eighteenth century made abstract universal humanity sacred over particular persons — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 532

Related

• Individual uniqueness as a value denies equality rather than grounds it (similarity 0.91)
• Individuality and universal equality historically arise as twin reactions to inequality (similarity 0.83)
• True equality among people is impossible due to inescapable uniqueness (similarity 0.82)
• The eighteenth century equated individuality with freedom and assumed natural human equality (similarity 0.82)
• Modern individuality values being this specific irreplaceable person, not mere freedom (similarity 0.81)
• The eighteenth century made abstract universal humanity sacred over particular persons (similarity 0.81)
• A second individualism of uniqueness replaced the quantitative one (similarity 0.81)
• Inclusive universal claims arise from within the particular (similarity 0.80)
• Individual diversity can be conceived as a division of labor among unique beings (similarity 0.80)
• Liberated individuals turn from equality toward distinguishing themselves from others (similarity 0.79)
• Foisting uniqueness on everyone is itself a cruel status demand (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Individual uniqueness as a value denies equality rather than grounds it #qualifies (0.60) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 690
• The eighteenth century made abstract universal humanity sacred over particular persons #contradicts (0.55) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 532
• The eighteenth century equated individuality with freedom and assumed natural human equality #contradicts (0.45) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 650