My, my...I'm not sure whether you're trying to put words in my mouth or just completely missing the point, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume the latter - the individual is self-defined, yes, but assuming that the way society perceives what that individual has made of themselves has nothing to do with how the individual functions as a whole is idealistic to a fault. Again, bear in mind that I've undergone extensive psychiatric testing in order to be qualified as a State Alchemist; I'm also well aware that a fair few of my thoughts would have me labeled a heretic by most. While thoughts like that contribute to who I am as an individual, did I voice these thoughts during that evaluation period? Of course not.

Society's rules and society's viewpoints aren't to be disregarded entirely in pursuit of individualism; that sort of viewpoint is horribly immature. At the same time, I prefer having the freedom of choice to decide what to do in response to those rules and viewpoints. Is that better?