Spiritually speaking, could society ever be beneficial to the individual?
Society has brought us external progress, including medical, technological and transportation. However, the majority of the population is merely a product (subconsciously) of societal norms and practices. In other words, society as we “know” it keeps most individuals from ever finding themselves, or seeking truth. In essentially every society that has existed on this planet, the people tend to move away from reality rather than towards it. Why is this the case?
Could an enlightened society ever exist?
@ Deathcube, I meant to infer that progress in those aspects were attributed (indirectly) to society.
@Alan T – I considered it, but that would likely lead to a bunch of answers quoting passages from the bible.
By: Objective Truth
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Filed under Philosophy by on Jan 12th, 2010. 
Comments on Spiritually speaking, could society ever be beneficial to the individual?
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No because human psychology is too variable
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“Society has brought us external progress, including medical, technological and transportation.”
You have a major confusion between society and science! haha
Franky, I would have thought the philosophy section would have people above the age of 5..apparently not.
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Society is incredibly beneficial to the individual. Who provides your electricity, who heals you when you are sick, who teaches your children. Without society we would not survive long. Societal norms are necessary for society to get along. If everyone was an enlightened individual they would realize how important society is.
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We are always helped by social forces, natural forces, divine forces, etc.
There may be exceptions, but in general people in the society are good. As per natural law: “Like produces the like”. If we deserve, we get. It may be from any source.
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We need others. From the moment you are born you could not survive without the help of others. If we separate ourselves from others we are less likely to reach “great” goals. How would it be if you would had to build your own house all by yourself?
People need to work together, remember that. There are times some of us need solitary to figure out what they truly want or to recover. Nevertheless do not underestimate the power and blessing UNITY can provide. If this is often not good in our society focus on the little parts ot the greater society how important it is for us to share and to work together.
Interesting and great question.
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In my opinion, no. Society is here to bring order. Order isn’t reality, and the more order there is, the more we move away from ourselves.
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time and society are very beneficial to mankind. People become more
civilized each century. Rogue armies seldom invade villages and
kill all the men, **** the women and loot and burn what is left.
Well, maybe in some African countries.
In past centuries such actions were not uncommon.
Having a measure of personal safety and freedom is
of great benefit to society and individual.
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You might want to take your “spiritually speaking…” questions over to the R&S forum. They actually believe there are souls over there.
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G
It’s hard to seek truth, or find yourself without language. that is a societal construct. No one person did it.
If lyons and hyenas are looking for you to eat you, it is hard to be philosophical and find yourself. The reason we are keeping them alive in zoos instead of mourning our gnawed relatives is the cooperation enabled by society.
The trick is not to blame externals, but to develop yourself quickly. If more people don’t wake up soon, the impending food and water crises could collapse civilization. We can’t build our lovely toys without earth’s assets from other countries. When they are lost in rioting and war, we miss out too.