In this novel, inpidualism was fully manifested and many behaviors of Robinson reflected the features of inpidualism。 So based on the previous researches by forerunners and my own personal thinking after reading this book, this thesis attempts to put forward a new definition of inpidualism and make a more comprehensive and specific understanding of inpidualism in Robinson Crusoe, digging the specific embodiment, the causes and the influence of inpidualism in Robinson Crusoe。

Through the analysis of inpidualism reflected in Robinson Crusoe, readers may gain a further understanding of the characteristics of inpidualism as well as its influence on the formation of free thoughts of capitalism and its influence on today’s society。

2。 Introduction of Inpidualism

2。1 Definition and Meaning of Inpidualism

According to Ayn Rand, “capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of inpidual rights。 Inpidualism is the core of the bourgeois world, and it is the basic principle of bourgeois morality。 It always attaches great importance to personal worth and is also the most important characteristic of low producers’ sense of worth” (1967:19)。

The inpidualism has a lot of different definitions。 From Ellen Meiksins Wood’s view, she believes that inpidualism is the moral stance, political philosophy, ideology, or social outlook that emphasizes the moral worth of the inpidual。 Inpidualists promote the exercise of one's goals and desires and so value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the inpidual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group。 Inpidualism thus involves “the right of the inpidual to freedom and self-realization”(1972:6)。According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “inpidualism is a doctrine that the interests of the inpidual are or ought to be ethically paramount and it is a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the inpidual and stressing inpidual initiative, action, and interests” (2008)。 According to the book Bohemia: the Underworld of Art, inpidualism is thus also associated with artistic and bohemian interests and lifestyles where there is a tendency towards self-creation and experimentation as opposed to tradition or popular mass opinions and behaviors (1939:187)。

Based on the previous definitions of inpidualism defined by other experts or dictionaries, I want to put forward a new definition of inpidualism。 As far as I am concerned, I think inpidualism includes the following aspects。 

Firstly, it is a doctrine which emphasizes the importance of the pursuit of inpidual right and freedom。 Inpidualists have the rights and freedom to make decisions for themselves and promote their goals and desires while resisting most external interference on their own choices, whether by family, society, or any other group or institution。 Secondly, it advocates the personal autonomy and claims that inpiduals have the ability to manage their life in good order，which can be called self-management。 Thirdly, self-reliance and self-creation is also an important component of inpidualism。 Inpidualism highlights the independence of inpiduals。 Inpiduals should learn to rely on themselves and be self-sufficient。 In addition, each person has the intelligence of self-creation。 In the process of self-sufficiency, inpiduals have ability and initiative to create a lot of original new things or new lifestyles。 Fourthly, it attaches great importance to self-improvement。 Inpiduals have unlimited potentials, which can be stimulated constantly so that they can realize their worth and value, promote their goals and thus perfect and improve themselves constantly。 Fifthly, sometimes, inpidualism is egoistic。 It advocates that interests of the inpidual should achieve precedence over others and encourages inpiduals to satisfy their own needs and pursue their personal interest constantly。 For inpiduals, they always tend to care about themselves but seldom consider the feelings or needs of others。 So influenced by this, many inpiduals tend to be selfish and self-centered。