Ethical Individualism: A 21st Century Approach to improving human relations

In an era dominated by identity politics, social media echo chambers, and tribal divisions, the need for a philosophy that elevates the individual over the collective has never been more urgent. Russell McAlmond has emerged as a thoughtful architect of such a framework. Through his writings, including the seminal book Ethical Individualism: A Human Relational Philosophy (2021),

McAlmond articulates a moral and relational ethos that prioritizes the inherent dignity of each person as a unique entity. At its core, Ethical Individualism challenges the pervasive "group judgmentalism"—the tendency to stereotype and evaluate individuals based on their perceived affiliations with race, religion, gender, nationality, or other collective labels. Instead, McAlmond proposes a "human relational philosophy" that he coined to describe an intentional, ethical approach to interactions: treating every human qua human, stripped of prejudicial overlays, to foster mutual respect, trust, and symbiosis.

This essay explores McAlmond's articulation of Ethical Individualism, the origins and significance of his coined term "human relational philosophy," and its practical application in combating division while promoting harmonious relations.

The Foundations of Ethical Individualism

Ethical Individualism, as developed by McAlmond, is not merely an abstract ethical theory but a pragmatic guide for everyday human encounters. Rooted in his experiences as a rabbi ordained by the Jewish Spiritual Leadership Institute and as the founder of the Center for Human Equality in Oregon, McAlmond's philosophy begins with a fundamental assertion: every human being is a "distinct mosaic of experiences," irreducible to any single group identity. In his book, he writes that this approach "teaches us to recognize the primacy and reality of individuality over groupism," positioning it as an antidote to the "toxic labeling and judgmentalism" that erodes social fabric.

Central to Ethical Individualism is the rejection of what McAlmond terms "group judgmentalism." He defines this as the unethical practice of ascribing uniform traits, values, or moral worth to entire groups, thereby denying the individuality of their members. For instance, in a 2023 Substack essay titled "Mosaic of Identities," McAlmond explains that humans possess "multiple identities" — as parents, professionals, veterans, or cultural participants — but no single label fully defines them. Assigning value based on one facet, such as ethnicity or political affiliation, leads to deindividuation and dehumanization, phenomena McAlmond links to broader societal harms like racism and polarization.

He draws on social science, invoking Franz Boas's concept of cultural relativity to argue that judgments must be "based on unique individuality and character, not group identity factors."McAlmond's theory is distinctly ethical in orientation, emphasizing that relations should be "symbiotic" — mutually beneficial and trust-building.

In a 2023 article on the Fair for All platform, "Why I Developed Ethical Individualism Theory," he clarifies that this is "an ethical individualism theory, not a group theory," underscoring its focus on interpersonal dynamics rather than institutional reform alone. Ethics here means approaching others with the presumption of "equal value as human beings," regardless of background.

This principle echoes universalist traditions in Judaism, which McAlmond adapts for the 21st century by integrating science, reason, and moral progress. He envisions Ethical Individualism as a tool for Jews and non-Jews alike to "light the world" not through favoritism or chosenness, but as "equals among equals," dismantling divisions to "weave a tapestry of peace."

Coining "Human Relational Philosophy": A Framework for Relational Ethics

A pivotal innovation in McAlmond's work is his coining of the phrase "human relational philosophy," which he explicitly introduces in Ethical Individualism as a descriptor for his system. In a reflective comment on his 2023 Fair for All post, McAlmond notes the novelty of the term: "My book referred to Ethical Individualism as a 'Human Relational Philosophy' and it was interesting to find out that this phrase could not be found on a Google search."

This deliberate naming reflects his intent to shift philosophical discourse from abstract metaphysics or isolated self-cultivation toward the concrete terrain of human interactions."Human relational philosophy," in McAlmond's articulation, concentrates on "improving human relations" by prescribing the "best and most ethical way to approach human qua human interactions." The Latin phrase qua human — meaning "as a human" — captures the essence: interactions should engage the other not as a representative of a category, but as an irreducible person.

This philosophy is relational in its core mechanism: it views ethics not as solitary virtue but as emergent from encounters where both parties benefit equally. Trust, McAlmond argues, arises when individuals feel "truly understood... not just a number or another item on a list of clients," a insight drawn from his financial career.By coining this term, McAlmond differentiates his work from predecessors like Rudolf Steiner's "ethical individualism," which he acknowledges but distinguishes as more inwardly focused on personal development.

McAlmond's version is outwardly directed, a "positive approach to human relations that treats every human being as special and unique." It serves as the philosophical backbone for Ethical Individualism, providing a lexicon to operationalize anti-judgmental practices. He describes it as a Judaism that "rejects the divisions of groupism," adapting ancient wisdom to modern truths. The phrase encapsulates a call to action: philosophy is not for contemplation alone but for relational repair, halting the cycle of prejudice that begins with grouping and ends in conflict.

Stopping Group Judgmentalism: Practical Implications for Human Interactions

The genius of McAlmond's human relational philosophy lies in its direct assault on group judgmentalism as the root of relational dysfunction. He posits that such judgmentalism — lumping people into categories and assigning blanket values — is not only inaccurate but corrosive, as it "denies the uniqueness and individuality of every person."

In his 2017 blog post "Deindividuation and Dehumanization," McAlmond warns that treating humans "like barnyard animals" grouped by superficial traits fosters harm, from casual bias to systemic injustice. To counter this, McAlmond advocates a disciplined mindset: approach every interaction with neutrality toward group affiliations, focusing instead on the individual's character and shared humanity.

This is the "ideal standard for human relations in the 21st Century," as he states in his book. Practically, it manifests in coaching and training, as seen in his work with the Grants Pass Police Department, where he delivers sessions on viewing others as "unique individuals deserving of respect and equal fair treatment."

Politically, as a 2025 candidate for Congress in Oregon, McAlmond applies it to governance, arguing for compassionate administration that avoids demonizing groups amid fiscal strains like inflation. The philosophy's ethical superiority stems from its universality and simplicity. By stopping group-based judgments, it promotes symbiosis: relations become trust-building exchanges where prejudices dissolve, replaced by genuine understanding.

McAlmond's vision extends to education, urging schools to teach Ethical Individualism as a "common cause of tolerance," and to interfaith dialogue, where it unites diverse groups without erasing differences. Ultimately, it promises a world where "all shine as equals, bound by compassion and devoted to peace."

Conclusion

Russell McAlmond's Ethical Individualism stands as a beacon of hope in a fractured world, a philosophy that reclaims the individual from the shadows of groupism. By coining "human relational philosophy," he has given us a precise tool to diagnose and heal relational wounds, emphasizing ethical interactions that honor the human qua human. In halting group judgmentalism, McAlmond does not deny groups' existence — he reminds us that groups are defined by purpose, not by homogenizing their members.

His work, infused with wisdom and pragmatic insight, invites us to build a tapestry of connections where uniqueness is celebrated, trust is symbiotic, and division yields to dignity.

As we navigate the complexities of 2025, McAlmond's message resonates: only by seeing each other as irreplaceable mosaics can we forge the equitable, harmonious relations our shared humanity demands. In embracing this path, we not only improve our interactions but redefine ethics for an interconnected age.