Issues of living in a Society

1. Issues of living in a Society Person as a social function vs. Individual Freedom Social Status/Privileges vs. Equality Obligations to Society vs. Rights

2. Types of Rule Plutocracy -–- rule by the rich Meritocracy -–- rule by virtue of merit/ability Theocracy -–- rule by religion/religious leaders Aristocracy -–- rule by “the best” (education/wealth) Monarchy -–- rule by one person (King/Queen) Oligarchy -–- rule by a group (elders, business) Democracy -–- rule by the people Do you see elements of these in American society today?

3. Reading Quotes • “To live a good life one must live in a great city.” –Greek proverb • Little crime; Little poverty; personal gain not at another’s expense; respect for others. • “Our ability to be a good person depends at least in part upon those with whom we share our world and the society in which we live.” p. 276 • On a scale of 1-10 (10 being universally true), how true is the abovementioned statement?

4. Reading Quotes Issue #1 in society: Resources are limited “There is not plenty for everyone, and sometimes there is not even enough to go around.”p.276 How should we determine who receives what resources currently? How could this be improved?

5. Reading Quotes Issue #2 in society: People break rules “What should we do with those who break the law intentionally or irresponsibly harm others?” p.276 What punishments should there be for “minor” offenses (vandalism, non-violent crimes)? What punishments should there be for “major” offenses (violent crimes)? Should the goal of punishment be rehibilitation?

6. 3 Issues of Society: the Balancing Act Responsibilities (obligations) vs Rights Person as a social function vs Individual Freedom Social Status/privilege vs Equality

7. Adam Smith & The Wealth of Nations Considered the Father of Capitalism Believed an “invisible hand” worked to promote the welfare of society. Proponent of the Free Market and argued government regulations interfere with the economy. “[A worker] endeavours as much as he can both to employ his capital in the support of domestic industry…every individual necessarily labours to render the annual revenue of the society as great as he can. He…neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it.” –Adam Smith (1776) (p.282)

8. Reading Quotes “What constitutes alienation of labour? First that the work is external to the worker, that it is not part of his nature…The worker, therefore, feels himself at home only during his leisure time, whereas at work he feels homeless. His work is not voluntary but imposed, forced labour. It is not the satisfaction of a need, but only a means of satisfying other needs…the external character of work for the worker is shown by the fact that it is not his own work but work for someone else, that in work he does not belong to himself but to another person…We arrive at the result that man feels himself active only in his animal functions –eating, drinking, procreating…or [in his] dwelling –while in his human functions he is reduced to an animal. The animal becomes human and the human becomes animal.” -Karl Marx (1844) (p.283)