Today, I will start a new topic, hopefully not as in-depth and thorough as the Concept Problem 'series' (if you could call it that), but instead a few shorter, easier to understand blogs on the bases of our societies and cultures. As this set of blogs is unrelated to the Concept Problem, of course irt is understandable if black-and-white 'concepts' are utilised for the purpose of argument. After all, the Concpet Problem is simply a theory, as opposed to a righteous belief, of mine.
First, I pose you the question: What forms the foundations of our societies? Of course, our societies are created from the very laws and scoial norms that run and control the behaviour of the many, but what of these laws? Laws are created for the 'better' of our society, but it is never questioned as to why these particular laws, or norms, are the ones that we choose to live by. Are laws decided as a part of some 'greater good', are they simply decided on the whim of the few for the many, or is there a more underlying meaning?
Social norms have been around since the beginning of humankind, and are clearly present in other species as well. Laws are simply these norms written on paper, often for the well-being of the majority. The truth of these laws is that they are simply creations of our behaviour, or more basically, our emotions. However, what are the key emotions that govern society? There are many differing view on this, some say justice and peace, others say greed, among many ideas.
This is a question that I wish to ask you, before I begin investigating 'Laws and Emotions'. What are your beliefs on the laws of societies, and why do you think these emotions, or otherwise, have an impact on society? Please feel free to comment below with your ideas.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
New topic, new ideas, new debates.
ReplyDeleteJust a few thoughts that might be relevant...
Have you noticed how more vague laws are generally more agreed upon than the more pecific ones? for example, murder being illegal is harder to dispute than, say, the ban on mobile phones whilst driving.
Another is that in the "free" society that we live in, everyone in theory should be allowed to abuse their body as they wish, however the government prohibits certain substances.
Finally, what actually places the government in power? If they upset the public too much, then they would be kicked out of power very fast. the only reason the government remains is because we allow it.
Just a few ideas, I don't neccesarily agree with them.
No theyre good ideas and very true in my opinion. However, as you can see, although relevant to some extent, these ideas are simply factual. What do you reckon is the real motivation behind the creation and implementation of laws, whether specific or general? I'm a strong believer in fear as the key contributor, although many argue greed is what forms the basis of most laws and society. Any ideas?
ReplyDeletePersonally i believe that we evolved to follow a certain structure, with unwritten rules (like dont kill the monkey next to you). People still feel the need for such order and security, and it has been formalised in the law. The need for continuality and security has been known for years, it is the second in Maslows Heirachy of needs, right after base needs (food, shelter etc.)
ReplyDeleteYes, but AGAIN, Alex, surely there is a key contributor to the creation of these the question I'm asking is not for the facts, but for WHY we made these laws in the first place, to think outside the box, if you will. not HOW, but WHY. WHY did we not want to kill the monkey next to us? Is there a reason for us not killing the monkey? Surely it would be based along the lines of the emotions that we would feel from the monkey being killed, grief? Anger? Alex, can you see what I am asking for? Not the facts, I want you to THINK about this. What do you feel has formed the foundations of society, and why so? (must have been the third time I asked you this, but fair enough)
ReplyDeleteIf we can kill the monkey next to us then the monkey next to us can also kill the monkey next to it.....but that monkey is us!!! If we make it unacceptable for anyone to kill any monkey then we don't get the joy of monkey-killing but we are also safer ourselves.
ReplyDeleteSo i propose self-preservation. I personally think that everything humans do is motivated by self-preservation or self-satisfaction. Innate, selfish and honest.
I agree with tocopherol, the primitive "pack scoiety" that preceded our own was driven primarily by self-preservation (or preservation of the species). We are safer in a pack, but if you do things that potentially endangers the pack then you will be rejected from it, thus putting you in danger.
ReplyDeleteIn a pack, therefore, there must be some sort of order, otherwise the pack would break up. This order became the laws and standards in todays society. As we became less dependant on others, greed began to sneak in, moving the focus from preservin the group to preserving yourself.