Good Society

what is a good society?

In my classes and expereinces this semester, there are two reoccuring themes that I believe are characteristics of a good society.

1) members of the society should have balance in their lives. By balance I mean that those who function within a society do not allow one aspect of life to consume them to the point that they are unable to experience and contribute to other areas. I'm sure that we could find many areas necessary for balance, but the one point of balance that has become evident to me is between individuality and community.

Community is valuable because communicating with others molds and fashions thinking in a way that can produce a masterpiece. When people are in group settings, one friend’s ideas about a particular subject will influence the other’s opinions. It’s like shaping a piece of clay- you take some away here, add some there, and in the end produce a work of art. When people change their opinions it doesn’t show weakens, as some might say. Rather, it is good for personal growth.

Solitude is the solution to these problems that arise from interaction with other people. For example, balance in the above three situations may look like the following: A member of a group or club may achieve balance and avoid becoming a puppet of the organization by being aware of the effect the group has on his or her individuality, the student may achieve a balance through allowing academic material to help form his thoroughly thought through views and compliment his articulation of them, and in pairs there should be sufficient time spent in personal growth and development.

So, it becomes possible to achieve a balance between solitude and fellowship by acknowledging the group’s effect on the individual, allowing outside influence to assist in forming and compliment our personal beliefs, and making sure to set aside sufficient time for personal reflection and development.

2) The second point is a bit shorter, but by no means simpler than the first. In order to achieve these areas of balance, members must be actively seeking to achieve "Good Society." Without the desire and action, nothing can be accomplished. If people don't want a better society, then they definitley won't try for it. But, wanting a good society isn't enough. It takes action to accomplish the goals that are set.