A questão do indivíduo em Max Stirner

Abstract

The objective of this study is about the individual within Max Stirner from the immanent reading of his main work The Ego and Its Own (1844). The theme involving the individual is central in Stirner's work, yet so little is known and studied. Stating in an objective way, the individual for Stirner possesses an unconditional, entirely free existence, occupying a central spot, singular, unique in the world. In other words, the individual is in a Stirnerian sphere in which nothing is before or after him, where no power is imposed, no conditioning restricts him, he is free from any constraints, obligations or duties. The novelty presented by Stirner consists, apart from a defense of the individual, especially a defense of his individuality. For Stirner, the constitutive character of individuality is not social, but natural, whereas since the first contact with the world, the individual struggles to affirm himself, to the point where he becomes aware of himself as a purely selfish existence. Stirner intends to create conditions for each individual to rebel against all entities that try to suppress the power and the individual strength. Our philosopher will make use of terms like Ego or Its-own to designate this example of irreducible individuality, unrepeatable and owner of himself and the world. As Stirner's thinking was forgotten for a long time, or misrepresented by most of his critics, we chose to perform an immanent reading of the featured work without, however, discard those contributions who preceded us in the subject of this study.