Module 11: The Human Person in Society

Study Notes

Module 11: The Human Person in their Society

Objectives:
- Explain the relationship between the individual and society by identifying how social structures, norms, and values influence human behavior and identity.
- Appreciate the role of the human person as both a social being and an individual by reflecting on personal experiences that highlight the tension between individuality and societal expectations.
- Demonstrate understanding of philosophical concepts related to society and the human person by participating in group discussions or activities that explore the impact of social roles on personal identity and ethical decision-making.

Society

An organized group of people who interact frequently and have a common territory and culture.
A companionship or friendly association with others, an alliance, a community, or a union.

An agreement where individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to a higher authority.

Thomas Hobbes

Believed that social contract was an agreement where individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to a higher authority.

John Locke

Considered persons in their natural state as more cooperative and reasonable.
Believed that society is formed through the consent of the governed.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Believed in the "General Will" – even if the people organize the society, the government can impose its will in extreme cases.

John Rawls

Proposed the "Original Position"

David Gauthier

Described people's self-interest as an important factor in building and maintaining societies.

Common Good

When more than one person desires and works to achieve the same good, the common good exists among them.
Refers to social conditions which enable persons and groups to fulfill their goals and achieve well-being.

Different Forms of Societies

Hunting and Gathering Society:
- Earliest and simplest form of society
- Small-sized, composed mainly of families
- Nomadic
- Members are treated equally, decisions through consensus, roles not clearly defined
Pastoral Society:
- Domestication of animals for a more stable food supply.
- Larger populations than hunting and gathering societies.
- Remain longer in one place.
- Often produce surplus food and resources for trade.
Horticultural Society:
- Primarily engages in small-scale cultivation of plants, fruits, and vegetables, and domestication of animals.
- Semi-nomadic.
- Roles and responsibilities are more clearly defined with many tasks assigned according to gender.
Agrarian/Agricultural Society:
- A further evolution of the pastoral and horticultural societies.
- Involves large-scale and long-term cultivation of crops and domestication of animals.
- Improved technology and tools for farming.
- Gives rise to a growing population in agricultural societies.
Feudal Society:
- Based on the ownership of land.
- Rulers grant their followers or vassals the right to manage parcels of land.
- Members of society are organized based on status. (Note: A diagram displaying the hierarchy within a feudal society was included.)
Industrial Society:
- Use of specialized machinery in production of goods and services.
- Resulted in the Industrial Revolution, leading to new production methods and innovations in transportation and communication.
Post-Industrial Society:
- Marked by the establishment of societies based on knowledge, information, and sale of services.
- Members have higher education, better training, and specialized roles.
- Virtual society, where people organize themselves through communication technology and the Internet, is a product of this type of society.

How does society influence our development as persons?

Norms: Set of traits that society considers acceptable.
Laws: More formal norms that establish and define acceptable behavior of citizens.
Folkways: Less formal norms that arise from tradition.
Social System: Norms, laws, and other rules regulating human interactions.
Organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals and groups that compose a society.
Social Role: Expected actions and behaviors of an individual in society.
Social Groups/Classes: Individuals performing similar roles are grouped together.
Social Institutions: Groups performing vital functions in society.
Social Values: Actions or ideals considered important by society.
Society transforms human relations leading to the transformation of members

How does society enable me to become a better person?

Society recognizes capability of people to develop and provides opportunities for self-improvement.
Persons can contribute to society through their decisions and actions.
Social movements are large-scale actions done by various groups/organizations to bring about change.