The Individual and Society - 1616 Words

In this paper I will try to explain the puzzle of whether individuals are products of society or society is a product of individuals. I believe that in general, and in the beginning, the answer to this question, is that society is a human product. I will start by presenting early man, the hunter and gatherer as an early form of society, but lacking critical qualities of a society. Then I will continue to support my theory by analyzing the beginning of known society some three and one half thousands years ago. I will present the individual as creation of society, or more precisely, an ongoing social recursive conditioning. I will also present society as creation of individuals. Finally, I will conclude my paper with some thoughts on the†¦show more content†¦The recording of literature, science, society and history is a lasting legacy of the Sumerians and our society. The individuals in the Sumer originated the development of society through the codes of law that was written as, and to be, social policy. These were the first written laws and law is what defines the norms within our society. This is a defining point as to whether individuals are products of society or society is a product of individuals. Since these individuals conceived what society shall represent, then it is clear that originally society is a product of individuals. It was not only the codes of law that were created by the Sumerians, but tens of thousands of cunieform texts that contain lullabies, poetry, ledgers, administration and property records. The theory that John Locke presents is that man must agree to join society and the community living peaceably and secure in the fact that his personal property is protected by the community by the laws and property records against any that are not of the community. The social concept that began in Sumer would change the face of his tory. Individuals as Product of Society Society is the unconscious collective of the morals and values of individuals that formed that society, but society is only a word. It was there before the individual was born, and it will be there after their death. Society is not tangible although individualsShow MoreRelatedIndividuals and Society1056 Words   |  5 PagesThe relationship between individuals and society has been a topic of debates for generations. In these debates, individuality has been given various definitions which can be grossly summarised as â€Å"The aggregate of qualities and characteristics that distinguish one person or thing from others† (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/individuality). It has been also argued that â€Å"The irony of individuality is that sometimes it is a luxury that can only be achieved by contributing something special to theRead MoreIndividual and society2009 Words   |  9 Pagesexactly this focus when analysing how an individual creates an identity and relationship within society. Marxism as a Macro-theory of sociology focuses on ‘human agents as cogs in the machine of social forces’ (Calhoun, C et al 2002) who have little or no control over the development of their identities, because of the overpowering social superstructure which is dictating a social hierarchy of which they are forced to obey. This large scale view of society as over powering in the formation of one’sRead MoreIndividuals vs. Society1024 Words   |  5 PagesAn individuals role in society can vary with the number themes the characters exhibit. 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Due to that contradiction, individualism is often contrasted with society or anti-individualismRead MoreArt, the Individual and Society3260 Words   |  14 PagesHUMANITIES I Art, The Individual and Society A Term Paper 13 October 2011 I. INTRODUCTION Art has been around for thousands of years. In fact, different types of craft can be traced back to prehistoric times when Neanderthal men started painting on the walls of the cave. Throughout the centuries, art has evolved to several forms among which are sculpting, painting, and even poetry. Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a wayRead MorePope On The Individual, Society, And Interconnectedness1687 Words   |  7 Pages ON THE INDIVIDUAL, SOCIETY, AND INTERCONNECTEDNESS. POPE: As Aristotle said, From the moment they are born, the individual is an irreducibly social and mutually dependent being allotted with both rights and duties. 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A suicidal person is sufferingRead MoreRelationship Between An Individual And Society1400 Words   |  6 PagesThe relationship between an individual and society is that individuals make up society by their exchange of different goods such as: materials, women, and services. Humans need their society, and each society has its own way of creating it. The exchange of materials is important in many societies where the material from one group with in society to another is how they relate. Instead of materials being important, there are some cultures who’s models of kinship trade women from family to family inRead MoreAlienation Of The Individual From Society955 Words   |  4 Pagesthe individual feels he/she is unwanted and does not belong to the place or society where they are currently living in. It is seen as if a person cannot provide for another or does not appear as the rest, they do not have any value. The two main characters such as Gregor within â€Å"The Metamorphosis† by Franz Kafka and Tessie within â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson both demonstrate the issue of alienation of the individual from society. It is expressed within both readings that as individuals we areRead MoreReligion is Detrimental to Society and the Individual 1525 Words   |  7 Pagesbeliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. As religion became a more personal matter in Western culture, discussions of society became more focused on political and scientific meaning and religious attitudes. Providing proof that religion has a detrimental focus on society and the individual because of its conflicting belief with science, conflicting belief with other religions, and its connection with political and economic instability; religion has the