Despite all the evidence, the prevailing rugged individualism suggests those who flourish are the authors of their own success. But the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were won by a colossal, multi-generational struggle on the part our ancestors, who also bequeathed their collective knowledge and experiences. We depend on a hugely expensive system of education, not just for ourselves, but also to train those we, in turn, depend on; a health service to keep us – and our neighbours – from suffering the worst effects of catastrophic illnesses; infrastructure that keeps society functioning. As social animals, we depend on the interaction, interest and love of those around us. We are socially constructed beings, forming an immense dynamic system that cannot be understood by reducing it to its individual parts.

None of this is to erode the importance of the individual. The cliche that we are all unique is true; we all have individual agency, the ability to make choices, even if they are constrained by the environment in which we live. Though we are all contributing to a grand collective project, that project would not be possible without the unique contributions of millions of individuals. Understanding this would better allow each one of us to thrive: to overcome the collective, socially constructed injustices that serve as blocks on potential.

It is possible to be in awe of his talent and contributions, while understanding that none of it would have been possible without the involvement and efforts of countless others. The good or bad that we do has the fingerprints of others all over it. It is one reason we should all feel pride in the achievements of others. We will succeed together or we will fail together. We are all linked, arm by arm, whether we like it or not.

Owen Jones, The Guardian, January 4