Sullivan's Philosophy of The Individual is one of the best modern philosophy books that attempts to criticize conventional morality and the value of truth in itself, whilst promoting individualism and rejecting community values.

The truth as for itself, is not the 'rule' of nature, as the truth can be that a rock exists, but the rule of nature does not state that this rock will cross my path, so why should I even think of this rock, or study this rock?

The purpose of a conscious being is to create a greater truth than the one that currently exists. Not to know the current truth. These truth seekers that we see, desire two things, either suffering for themselves or suffering for others.

Knowing of the truth is not intrinsically valuable, but what is valuable is the creation of a greater truth, which often doesn't involve knowing the current truth.

This book goes over the difference between a rule, and a truth, and how one must study human rules, but those rules are not truly rules, but freedom. It goes over how these rules are also based on the individual not the society, and how in order for one to succeed, he needs to introspect within, instead of looking to the community.

This book advocates reasoning as a path to enlightenment and self-fulfillment, and it advocates the creation of personal values and values at which the value of the value fluctuates.

It also critiques morals such as accountability, as being pushed by the unaccountable, as 'being in touch with the truth', when in reality it is merely whipping the lower men with the chains of reality. It then critiques the terrible effects of attaching morality to an idea instead of to the individual, as justifying unnecessary suffering.

Overall this work is a very interesting read for open-minded readers looking for something different to stimulate their brain and develop their philosophy of life.

Genres: philosophy, existentialism, individualism