Personal and Social
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 7:37 am
Personal and Social
There is a clear impression, especially in religion, that ethics is all personal and one to one. As if everyone being nice to each other is the fount and sum of ethics. But this also assumes there is no really anything called society, merely 'politics' and authority. In reality almost all relationships have a social aspect, far more important than personal taste. We even have philosophical opinions that, for instance, a gay relationship is entirely a matter for those directly involved. And with migration there is the entirely obvious attitude that as Good Samaritans we have a duty to help, we being an aggregate of individuals. In fact society must be more than the sum of its parts, other than for extreme anarchists. Democracy is about providing a voice for society, and it is unfortunate that the best we can do is parliament and government. Anything that affects two people is certain to have its effect on others and the young generation - and that means on society.
There is a clear impression, especially in religion, that ethics is all personal and one to one. As if everyone being nice to each other is the fount and sum of ethics. But this also assumes there is no really anything called society, merely 'politics' and authority. In reality almost all relationships have a social aspect, far more important than personal taste. We even have philosophical opinions that, for instance, a gay relationship is entirely a matter for those directly involved. And with migration there is the entirely obvious attitude that as Good Samaritans we have a duty to help, we being an aggregate of individuals. In fact society must be more than the sum of its parts, other than for extreme anarchists. Democracy is about providing a voice for society, and it is unfortunate that the best we can do is parliament and government. Anything that affects two people is certain to have its effect on others and the young generation - and that means on society.