Society, State, and Individual: A Philosophical Exploration
The Human Being: A Social Animal
The human species, being one of the least equipped to survive naturally, has a fundamental need for community. Plato recognized this social essence of humankind, stating that the human being is a social animal. However, this doesn’t mean humans are the only social creatures. Many non-human animals also form societies. Human society differs from other animal societies due to rationality, a humanizing characteristic.
Human society is a group of human beings who share the same culture and social institutions, interacting to pursue common interests and achieve individual goals. Sociability is the natural human tendency to belong to stable, organized groups.
Societies, formed by groups needing order, are diverse and difficult to classify. Sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies offered a still-relevant classification:
- Community/Primary Groups: Individuals united by emotional bonds, prioritizing the well-being of others. (e.g., family)
- Society/Secondary Groups: Individuals connected by utilitarian and rational ties, interacting in a regulated and contractual manner. (e.g., companies or clubs)
Societies are dynamic, shaped by individuals, and evolve throughout history. Understanding a society involves understanding its political system, which dictates how coexistence is normalized. Karl Popper distinguished between:
- Closed Societies: Rigid systems controlling individual behavior.
- Open Societies: Tolerant societies allowing freedom of thought and action.
The Individual and Society
Society is inextricably linked to the individual, as societal life is essential for human existence. Living in society is part of human nature.
Historical Perspectives on Society
Ancient Greece
- Plato: Humans are not self-sufficient and must unite, each contributing according to their natural qualities. (Republic)
- Aristotle: Society enables the ultimate human achievement: happiness. A person outside of society is not human, but beast or god. (Politics)
Middle Ages
Scholastic philosophy, with Thomas Aquinas, followed Aristotle’s thesis, using natural law as its model.
Modern Age
Thinkers like Hume criticized the rationalist view, arguing that humans group together based on natural impulse or instinct, guided by interest and utility.
Contemporary Era
Philosophers have defended the natural character of human sociality. Marx, for example, believed human capacities are meaningless in isolation.
2 The Social Contract and the State
Society and the State originate from a social contract freely established by individuals, who, in turn, relinquish some or all of their liberties. These theories follow a similar structure:
- State of Nature: A hypothetical pre-political society.
- Social Contract: An artificial agreement creating civil society.
- Political System: Based on the contract’s rules, determining the type of state.
Examples of Social Contract Theories
Thomas Hobbes: The Contract of Submission
- Natural state is a state of war. This situation is unsustainable.
- Contract requires individuals to become subjects, giving absolute power to a sovereign.
- This leads to political absolutism, the origin of the State.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract
- In the natural state, humans are absolutely free, aiming to preserve their lives and satisfy basic needs.
- Through contract, individuals surrender their rights to the general will.
- This leads to democracy, where everyone has equal political participation.
John Locke: The Liberal Contract
- In the natural state, humans are free and equal, subject to natural law, which protects inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property.
- Contract is entered into freely. The State has executive and judicial powers.
- This leads to liberalism, preserving individual rights and private property.
3 Rawls and Distributive Justice
Rawls, like Plato, sought to create a just society. He advocated for distributive justice based on equity, emphasizing prior consensus where individuals accept the rules of justice. He posited a hypothetical “original position” with two principles:
- Principle of Equality: Equal right to basic freedoms.
- Principle of Difference: Socioeconomic inequalities should benefit the least advantaged.
4 Public and Private Life
There are two dimensions of freedom and interests: the private and public spheres.
- Private Life: The intimate and personal realm, free from external interference.
- Public Life: The arena of social, political, and cultural interactions.
Politics emerged to harmonize these spheres, using power and administration to enable coexistence within civil society, a complex network of relationships and associations.
Locke distinguished civil society from political society, arguing the liberal state should protect citizens’ freedoms. Hegel, while recognizing civil society’s autonomy, emphasized the state’s universal good.
5 Civility and Civic Virtues
Living in society requires accepting standards of behavior and legal rules. While the state has coercive power, civil society must promote civility, the citizen’s responsibility to contribute to the common good. Civility involves awareness of rights and obligations, respecting the law, and participating responsibly in public life. It also requires civic virtues, fostered through education and socialization promoted by the state and media.