Society and the Individual

[_AnnoDomini]

I’ve been reading Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, and it got me wondering: is a series of individual actions what creates society, or are societies destined to exist no matter what actions individuals take?

Personally, I hold the former view. The world is like a series of Domino Effects, and all of our lives are intertwined. Take the assassination of President Kennedy, for example. His death changed the course of history, and yet it was caused by the actions of a single madman.

What are your thoughts? Does the church hold any concrete positions on this subject?

 

[Freddy]

Societies are an evolutionary certainty.

 

[EssentialBeing]

Can be described as one big chain & their individual links, all the smaller pieces acting as one

 

[EssentialBeing]

Take the assassination of President Kennedy, for example. His death changed the course of history, and yet it was caused by the actions of a single madman.

Socialism would suggest that humanity is only as good as its weakest link. Just like the strength of a chain is only as good as its worst individual link

is a series of individual actions what creates society

Only if they are acting towards the same goal. If they are not then they are in direct competition

are societies destined to exist no matter what actions individuals take?

Probably yes, because once we all realize that humans only need three things, shelter, food & love, then we might all individually act towards the one common goal & achieve what an entire society needs.

Alone I can do nothing but together we can do everything.

 

[Beryllos]

Does the church hold any concrete positions on this subject?

Yes! It’s called Catholic Social Teaching.

I am not sure where there is a good online summary. I have a copy of DOCAT: Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, which appears to be a good summary in book form.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

is a series of individual actions what creates society,

I believe it’s individuals working together that creates a society.

or are societies destined to exist no matter what actions individuals take?

That doesn’t make sense to me.

Societies are an evolutionary certainty.

Don’t you mean “were an evolutionary certainty”

Probably yes, because once we all realize that humans only need three things, shelter, food & love,

Hmm, interesting concept - Society grows out of love. Coincidentally, or not, water also seems to be essential for a peaceful society.

Yes! It’s called Catholic Social Teaching.

I was wondering if the Church’s teaching on Natural Law would be a good answer to the OP’s question. And after reading your post I’m wondering if Catholic Social Teaching falls under the Natural Law umbrella, or vise versa.

 

[Freddy]

Don’t you mean “were an evolutionary certainty”

No. It still is. Put a few dozen unconnected people on an island and they’ll form a group.

 

[EssentialBeing]

Hmm, interesting concept - Society grows out of love. Coincidentally, or not, water also seems to be essential for a peaceful society

A good point, Love for individual people, should grow into love for human society. As for water I would include as food, maybe I should have said sustenance.