lindividuo

L'individuo, in Italian, denotes a single human being considered as a distinct entity endowed with identity and agency. The term is used across philosophy, law, sociology, and everyday speech to distinguish a person from the collective. Etymologically, it derives from Latin individuum, meaning indivisible.

Philosophically, the individual has been central to debates about rights, autonomy, and responsibility. In liberal thought, individuals possess intrinsic rights and subjectivity; in communitarian or some non-Western traditions, individuality is balanced with community obligations. The tension between autonomy and social cohesion shapes political and ethical theory.

In law, natural persons hold rights by virtue of being human; juridical persons, such as corporations, have limited legal personality. The concept underpins civil liberties, due process, and human-rights instruments. Issues of identity and personhood influence privacy law, data protection, and consent regimes.

Sociology and psychology study self-concept, personality development, and how individuals navigate social roles, culture, and institutions. Cross-cultural research shows variation in how much emphasis is placed on individual autonomy versus group identity, reflecting different social norms and value systems.

In contemporary discourse, the idea of the individual extends to digital identities and data sovereignty, raising questions about anonymity, surveillance, consent, and control over personal information.