Rockridge High School
Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Mrs. Downey
By: Steve Caulkins
12th Grade
Ideal Society: A conception of the totality of social relationships among humans in its absolute perfection. The concept of an ideal society varies from person to person. It has been discussed through and through, yet we still do not have it…or do we? Even though a person may not think that the world we live in is the perfect society, maybe this is someone’s perfect society. Many past and present philosophers have juggled the idea of a utopian state of society, and even though some have come close, not any two have completely agreed. After researching different philosophers from the past, I was able to create a perspective of what my ideal society would be like. However, the ideas of the philosophers must first be established.
Aristotle was a pupil of Plato and a mentor of Alexander the Great. He wrote very little about an ideal society. However, when he did write about it, he made it clear that a utopian state was impossible to achieve. Aristotle believed that in order to make society happy and content, one had to achieve individual happiness first. Though Aristotle was a student of Plato’s, they did not share the same beliefs. For example, Plato believed that everyone belongs to everyone else and that happiness is only important to society. However, as aforementioned, Aristotle believed that the happiness of the individual is very important and is required to achieve the happiness of society. Aristotle did not agree with Plato, and many philosophers, past and present, do not agree with Aristotle. However, there are a few who do agree with Aristotle’s individualistic principles.
“…I do not consider the pleasure of others as my goal in life so I do not consider my pleasure as the goal of the lives of others.” This is a quote by Ayn Rand, which shows her individualistic axioms. Rand authored the well-known novel Atlas Shrugged. This novel is about an international corporation that goes bankrupt because the corporate officials depended on others to do their work. This novel illustrates Rand’s philosophy of individualism. Rand was one “philosopher” who was just as individualistic as Aristotle, but unfortunately, everyone cannot agree.
Peter Gabel was the author of the book The Bank Teller and Other Essays on the Politics of Meaning. In the book he “calls for a spiritual renewal in public life that will transform our social institutions.” Gabel goes on to describe the driving force behind such renewal is a simple reciprocity of human caring, which would mean. “Empathy extended toward all members of society based on their intrinsic human value.” This shows Gabel’s philosophy of society living and caring as one. This is the total opposite of the views of Aristotle and Ayn Rand. Gabel’s views coincide with the views of Socrates about how people should live morally.
"To want nothing is divine; to want little is the nearest possible approach to the divine life." This quote by Socrates shows that his philosophy was simple. He perceived that as long as people were not demanding and followed their morals, they would lead the ideal life, and the society would follow. This is basically what Peter Gabel was saying, "…the driving force behind this (spiritual) renewal is simple reciprocity of human caring." As long as this is followed, then the morals of society would be raised. And with higher morals, the society would be even closer to an idealistic state.
After researching the great philosophers of the past and some of the present, I have an idea of what my ideal society would be like. My ideal philosophy combines the individualism of Aristotle and Rand, with the morality unity of Socrates and Gabel. I believe in order to come close to achieving the "Ideal Society" we must first improve the faults in ourselves. After that has been accomplished, we have to focus on bettering the faults in society. For example, one huge issue that faces society right now is racism. If an individual focused on ridding themselves of racial biases, then time would eliminate the biases from society.
Another aspect of society that I feel would be important in my ideal society is the issue of wealth. Millions of Americans are unemployed, hungry, and homeless. Others have a job, but still have a hard time keeping a roof over their head and food in their stomach. While this is happening, we have multi-millionaires who just sit and do nothing about this problem that is facing society. I believe that all money should be equally dispersed among society; this will solve the problem of people being homeless.
Many past and present philosophers have juggled the idea of a utopian state of society, and even though some have come close, not any two have completely agreed. Aristotle believed that an ideal society would be impossible to achieve, but to come close society had to focus on improving themselves as individuals first. Ayn Rand thought that in order to achieve a utopia, people would not have to depend on each other and focus completely on themselves. Socrates believed that the basis of an ideal society has to be morals, and that man must have good morals in order to society to thrive. Peter Gabel followed Socrates' beliefs somewhat, but Gabel believes that people would have to be more caring for each other in order for the society to function ideally. My ideal society combines all of these ideas. First we better ourselves, and then we must work together in order to better society as a whole.
Questions
Q1: Number the “fault lines” mentioned in paragraph one, #1 to #7 according to your personal priorities.
2) Health Care
3) Welfare
4) Taxes
5) Gun Control
6) Environmentalism
7) Abortion
A2: I believe that “defeat in community” is referring to the downfalls that we have in today’s society. I feel that the “defeat in community” is referring to the individual aspects of society today. Greed and power have taken the place of care and compassion.
A3: I sense the pain of isolation somewhat in my community. But since my community is so small, most people know each other. However, I believe, that those who have just arrived in town feel the pain of isolation. This pain is also felt the ones who do not come out to meet their fellow neighbors. This is not entirely their fault, because if the other members of the community would make the extra effort to get to know these “isolated” people, then the pain of isolation would not be so radiant.
Q4: Discuss you feelings about the SAT in light of paragraph six.
A4: I feel that the SAT does put a lot of pressure on students to perform well and achieve success. However, I believe it is a good test to figure out how well the student is prepared for whatever lies in front of them in the future.
A5: In choosing my future career I have a couple of “prime motivations”. I want a career where I can use my ability to communicate well with people. Another motivation of mine is whether or not the job will be fun and keep me wanting to go back every day. My final motivation is money. I want to enter into a career so that each month, I will not have to wonder if I can afford a roof over my head, and food in my stomach.
A6: I would not like a less “objectified” legal system at all. Because right now, in order to be found guilty of a crime that you have been suspected of committing, the prosecutors must have hard evidence. With a less objectified legal system, the legal system could give punishments to people, whether they were fair or not. I also believe that celebrities and politicians should get the same type of punishment as the normal person would for committing the same crime.
A7: Yes, I would describe myself as an idealist. I live my life with optimism and I roll with the punches. I realize that everything in my life is not going to be exactly the way I want it to be. However, I can sure try my hardest to make it that way.
A8: There is a local resident who comes to every one of our schools functions; he drives a school bus, and helps with taking care of the school grounds. He attends every School Board meeting and if something’s wrong, he will speak up. He wants to make life the best for the kids in the community. His name is Augie Keres and you will never find him without a smile on his face. Whenever I ride his bus, he waves at every car that passes by. If there is a row of twenty cars in a row, each one gets a wave. Just being around him puts people in good moods.
Q9: How does Scruton describe the differences in political culture of Islam and the west?
A9: He argues that the basis of war in Western civilization is the social contract. However, in Islam it is Sharia, which is the Holy Law.
Q10: What does Scruton suggest are the prerequisites in Western societies for citizenship?
A10: Scruton suggests that the prerequisites are a sense of patriotic public spirit and a commitment to the preservation of the social contract.
Q11: What is the danger to the Western social contract that Scruton identifies in the last paragraph? Do you think the Western social contract involves “patriotic self-sacrifice”? Should it do so, in your opinion? Why or why not?
A11: Scruton identifies the danger to the Western social contract as the erosion of national unity. I believe that the Western social contract involves some “patriotic self sacrifice”, but not as much as the Islam culture requires. In Islam, patriotic self-sacrifices are rewarded with rewards after death. However, in Western civilization, there are no rewards like that mentioned in any text. This gives the Islamic nations a greater sense of duty to their country, and if they will do this duty, they will be heavily rewarded. I believe that that the Western social contract should have more of a feel for “patriotic self-sacrifice”. The reason I feel this is because if we just carry on in our own individualistic ways, without concerning ourselves with what’s happening in the nation or at war, then we mine as well be an emotionless society, one that moves on in our own greedy ways, not caring what is best for the nation, but what is best for ourselves.
Q12: Comment on the quote taken from Ayn Rand’s book Atlas Shrugged. Do you agree with it? Why or why not? Have you read Atlas Shrugged?
A12: This quote by Rand illustrates her beliefs in an individualistic society. In this quote she mentions how traders get only what they deserve, nothing more and nothing less. I agree with her in the aspect that people should get what they deserve, but nothing more. However, I believe that we must not only focus on ourselves, but on society as a whole as well. No, I have never read Atlas Shrugged.