个人主义是一种道德的、政治的、和社会的哲学，认为个人利益应是决定行为的最主要因素，强调个人的自由和个**利的重要性，以及「自我独立的美德」、「个人独立」。个人主义反抗威权以及所有试图束缚个人的行动，尤其是那些由国家或社会施加的强迫力量。因此个人主义反抗将个人地位置于社会或共同体之下的集体主义。个人主义经常被与利己主义相混淆，但事实上个人主义与利己主义不相同。个人主义是古典自由主义的构成要素之一。

Individualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual. Individualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group, while opposing external interference upon one's own interests by society or institutions such as the government. Individualism is often contrasted with totalitarianism or collectivism.