Which term refers to someone who rejects both societal goals and means and withdraws from conventional society?

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The term that refers to someone who rejects both societal goals and means while withdrawing from conventional society is "retreatist." In sociological terms, a retreatist is an individual who has essentially "dropped out" of the pursuit of societal success and the adherence to societal norms and expectations. This concept is rooted in Robert Merton's strain theory, which suggests that individuals respond to the pressures created by society's expectations in various ways.

Retreatists differ from conformists, who accept both the goals of society and the means to achieve them, and ritualists, who may abandon societal goals but still adhere to the means in a very rigid manner. Altruists, on the other hand, prioritize the well-being of others over their own self-interest, making them quite distinct from retreatists in their motivations and actions. Thus, the defining characteristic of a retreatist is their complete withdrawal from the fabric of conventional social structures, aligning with the definition given in the question.

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