What is the point of society?

[Kal'Stang]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

 

[Canell]

The role of the society is to establish a set of rules for the game. Generally speaking, I distinct society as human creation as opposed to community or commonity (what people have in common naturally). So, there could be the world community of the people with blue eyes but there is no society of the blue eyes because no human has ever established one. You need criteria and a set of rules and objectives (Constitution) to do so. Even if a society of the blue eyes is established, not all people of the blue eyes commonity might sign in because they might not like the Constitution and membership criteria.

 

[spud_meister]

So you can have group sex.

 

[taxigirl]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

I think the main purpose is more for companionship, standing together in mutual defense is assuming that there is an offense somewhere. Who is going to attack the Alabama Genealogical Society?

Society generally refers to a group that has come together out of some commonality. I am a part of American Society because I live in the US. I also consider myself part of "blue collar society" because I am employed full time in blue collar work and I consider myself part of the academic society because I work part time in academics. I am now also part of an internet society of debaters. Societies do not have to be defined by any group, they can just exist. On the other hand....

Some are very defined, like "secret societies" or extremist groups.

Beyond companionship and a commonality I think societies can offer defense as you stated, but also emotional and financial support, communication, discovery and pretty much anything you can do on your own, but with more effectiveness and efficiency. I would prefer that we could all live like Grizzly Adams, relying on ourselves...... if you figure out a way to completely drop off the grid, please let me know.

--yes, I am a dirty goddamn hippie.

 

[Canell]

Societies do not have to be defined by any group, they can just exist.

But they do. This forum, for example, is defined by the forum rules. Let me quote the first row for you:

You must agree to the General Rules of Debate Politics in order to continue. They are as follows:

In other words, societies have founders and rules.

 

[taxigirl]

But they do. This forum, for example, is defined by the forum rules. Let me quote the first row for you:

In other words, societies have founders and rules.

What about anarchist societies?

 

[Helix]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

the advancement of humanity is more synergistic than individualistic. society gives that human synergy a better chance to succeed.

without society, life becomes more about food and survival of the physically fittest. society allows those who might be very intelligent but not necessarily the most physically competitive a chance to survive and contribute.

given this, i wold argue that the point or goal of society is the optimization and synergistic advancement of humanity.

 

[Slartibartfast]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

To collective enhance our quality of life, enjoyment of life, and comfort of its members. This is both our greatest practical and moral cause. The goal from which all other morality stems, because the ultimate point of morality should be to enhance good.

I ultimately see that as the point of society. It allows the whole to be far greater than the sum of its parts. However, the devil is in the details, some consider certain types of freedoms to enhance their quality of life, others consider wealth to do so, others consider wisdom, others see it as primarily achievable through religion, etc. In reality, I see it as a combination of everything and when there is conflict from two goals, whatever goal achieves more is probably the better one.

 

[Tigger]

The point of society is to encourage and enforce Law and Order amongst the people. Now, that's two separate and distinct things....

LAW, which is the written and prescribed legal structure of the group

and

ORDER, which is the system by which traditions and morals/values are imposed on the group.

 

[Daktoria]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

Community = common + unity.

Society is an intersubjective celebration from objective reality.

 

[taxigirl]

The point of society is to encourage and enforce Law and Order amongst the people. Now, that's two separate and distinct things....

LAW, which is the written and prescribed legal structure of the group

and

ORDER, which is the system by which traditions and morals/values are imposed on the group.

You assume people cannot take care of themselves and will be unruly?

What would you do if an anarchist moved in next door?

 

[Tigger]

You assume people cannot take care of themselves and will be unruly?

I assume nothing. I simply look around at society and all question is erased from my mind.

What would you do if an anarchist moved in next door?

My legal counsel has suggested that I not answer the question on the grounds that the answer might be used against me in a court of law in the future.

 

[American]

I think the main purpose is more for companionship, standing together in mutual defense is assuming that there is an offense somewhere. Who is going to attack the Alabama Genealogical Society?

Society generally refers to a group that has come together out of some commonality. I am a part of American Society because I live in the US. I also consider myself part of "blue collar society" because I am employed full time in blue collar work and I consider myself part of the academic society because I work part time in academics. I am now also part of an internet society of debaters. Societies do not have to be defined by any group, they can just exist. On the other hand....

Some are very defined, like "secret societies" or extremist groups.

Beyond companionship and a commonality I think societies can offer defense as you stated, but also emotional and financial support, communication, discovery and pretty much anything you can do on your own, but with more effectiveness and efficiency. I would prefer that we could all live like Grizzly Adams, relying on ourselves...... if you figure out a way to completely drop off the grid, please let me know.

--yes, I am a dirty goddamn hippie.

Why am I not surprised?

 

[taxigirl]

Why am I not surprised?

:rofl

wash, rinse, repeat... oh wait--no. i'm a goddamn dirty hippie.

 

[Daktoria]

Why am I not surprised?

Socialists hate math. They enjoy making things a mess because they hate organization. Math organizes things.

 

[ThePlayDrive]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

I think one of the main points of society is to expand individual freedom through societal means. For example, in the "state of nature", my freedom is greatly restricted by time and energy spent to protect myself. In society, we have organizations entrusted with protection so that I may be free to pursue my own interests. Similarly, my parents freedom would have been greatly restricted had they had to home school me. However, educational institutions in society increased their individual freedom by allowing them to pursue their own interests while I was educated in a societal organization - school.

 

[Daktoria]

I think one of the main points of society is to expand individual freedom through societal means. For example, in the "state of nature", my freedom is greatly restricted by time and energy spent to protect myself. In society, we have organizations entrusted with protection so that I may be free to pursue my own interests. Similarly, my parents freedom would have been greatly restricted had they had to home school me. However, educational institutions in society increased their individual freedom by allowing them to pursue their own interests while I was educated in a societal organization - school.

Society sounds like torture from this. We're brainwashed for the point of expanding freedom (without necessarily having something to be free with)?

A while back on another forum, an English professor told me one of the advantages of American education is we DON'T groom people for careers.

Especially in today's economy, I don't see how ignoring job placement is a good thing. The smart become enslaved to the stupid whether working in hi-skilled or low-skilled jobs.

 

[imagep]

To collective enhance our quality of life, enjoyment of life, and comfort of its members. This is both our greatest practical and moral cause. The goal from which all other morality stems, because the ultimate point of morality should be to enhance good.

I ultimately see that as the point of society. It allows the whole to be far greater than the sum of its parts. However, the devil is in the details, some consider certain types of freedoms to enhance their quality of life, others consider wealth to do so, others consider wisdom, others see it as primarily achievable through religion, etc. In reality, I see it as a combination of everything and when there is conflict from two goals, whatever goal achieves more is probably the better one.

Some people seem to believe that the point of society is to provide great riches to the top 1% while keeping the bottom 99% poor. They don't see a problem with the income of the middle class declining as long as the income of the top 1% is growing.

 

[MaggieD]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

The "point" of society is that it is inevitable. Man is a social animal. Put two together, and they will find a bond of commonality...even if that commonality is that they despise each other. Put 200 together, and they will form many bonds of commonality. There will be rules of conduct (even though unwritten) to be considered part of the group, a hierarchy that includes leaders and followers, suckers and suckees. There'll also be a fringe element who says they could care less. It's who we are.

 

[KevinKohler]

The "point" of society is that it is inevitable. Man is a social animal. Put two together, and they will find a bond of commonality...even if that commonality is that they despise each other. Put 200 together, and they will form many bonds of commonality. There will be rules of conduct (even though unwritten) to be considered part of the group, a hierarchy that includes leaders and followers, suckers and suckees. There'll also be a fringe element who says they could care less. It's who we are.

Exactly. Humans are not solitary creatures, for the most part. It is conducive to our mental health to have regular human interaction...

It's a survival trait. Together we rise, divided we fall.

 

[Canell]

What about anarchist societies?

What about them? How about this?



May I suggest that this Chaos theory statement in your signature is pure BS? :2razz:

 

[makmugens]

Aside from all the idealism that goes into the word?

Money. Civilization gathers people into a concentrated area all working for another person higher up in the pyramid structure. In essence, civilization provides a labor pool for those at the top to draw from. All the things in society either enforce or supplement this system in some way. I always looked at nations like factories. I mean, what does a nation do? It really seems more about the markets than the people. All higher national actions are done for the sake of the markets, not the people. The people are maintained and cared for in the very same way as sheep are. Made healthy enough to profit from efficiently.

 

[Canell]

I always looked at nations like factories. I mean, what does a nation do? It really seems more about the markets than the people. All higher national actions are done for the sake of the markets, not the people. The people are maintained and cared for in the very same way as sheep are. Made healthy enough to profit from efficiently.

Markets? What was the market before the Modern era (prior to USA birth)? Had Luther meant markets when he wrote his statements?

 

[MKULTRABOY]

So, what is the point of society? To provide for mutual defense? That's pretty common knowledge so we can skip that. Is there more to society though? Could there be more? Should there be more?

Please.

Don't do this.

 

[taxigirl]

Please.

Don't do this.

Why do so many of the people posting here think society is for protection? Don't we also have to protect ourselves from those within our society? The whole premise that society is FOR mutual defense assumes that lurking somewhere around the corner, all the time, is a threat.