do we owe "society" a contribution?

[SleepyWitch]

it's often argued that "society" does so much for the individual so the individual ought to give back to society...
do you think that's true? do we owe "society" a meaningful contribution?
what does this involve? is working and paying your taxes enough? or obeying the law?
does it involve doing volunteer work or trying to make the world a better place for everyone to live in? or is it enough to buy a house, have children etc (or whatever the mainstream way of living happens to be?
what is "society"? people in your neighbourhood? your country? the whole world?

please take the poll :) you can pick multiple options

[SleepyWitch]

bah, stupid me.. i made the poll anonymous by mistake.. can I change that somehow? or could one of the mods do it for me?

[manolia]

Depends, i guess..on what you mean by "society" and which "society" you are living in and what "society" has done for you to make you feel welcome, a member of it, protect you and your interests. Different people from different "societies" and different social strata may give different answers :D

[SleepyWitch]

heehee, good points manolia :)
what's your answer?

[manolia]

I voted in you poll
"I didn't ask to be born but here i am a part of society"
meaning that due to profession mostly i pay my taxes, abide with the law (if you cheat in my line of work, many people die ;) ). But that doesn't mean i am particularly happy with society as it is ;) . I just try to lead an honest life and not make matters worse ;)

[SleepyWitch]

fair enough :)

[Scheherazade]

bah, stupid me.. i made the poll anonymous by mistake.. can I change that somehow? or could one of the mods do it for me?Sleepy,

You should now be able to see who has taken part in the poll.

manolia> Could you please vote again? Thanks.

[SleepyWitch]

thanks, Scher!

[papayahed]

Good Question. I don't know that I owe society anything, I pay my taxes follow most of the laws...

But for myself, and I don't hold anybody else to it, I believe that at a certain point when I was able to support myself and make my way I should be giving something back to those less fortunate. Maybe that is a sense of duty... I dunno.

[Mark F.]

We owe society a good kick in the backside. It's the only way it's going to evolve. Yeah, I voted who or what is society. I'm in a phase where concepts such as fronteers and society seem stupid to me.

[Granny5]

I don't know that we "owe" society any more than paying taxed and obeying the laws, but I do believe we owe those less fortunate whatever we can do to help them. Not just money, but help by assisting in any way we can, even if it's just being their friend and treating them well. If I have food, I will share, if I have extra clothing, I will share. If I possibly can, I will donate to a family at Christmas or invite someone without family to Thanksgiving dinner.
I do what I can and the more I have, the more I do.

[SleepyWitch]

We owe society a good kick in the backside. It's the only way it's going to evolve. Yeah, I voted who or what is society. I'm in a phase where concepts such as fronteers and society seem stupid to me.

heehee, I know what you mean :)
it's even worse in German because it's called die Gesellschaft (the society) here. we can't use it without a definite article at all. kinda makes it sound like an identifiable living creature rather than an abstract conept.
lots of times newspaper articles or the newsman on TV will say things like "This proposal meets with opposition in the society."
whenever I hear that I'm like "right, did he ever bother to ask the society what they think about it and who the h*ll is the society anyway?
:confused:

[dramasnot6]

I think we owe it to ourselves to make the world a better place, society is what we make of it.

[mosimo]

No one owes society and neither does society owe anyone it is rather everyones duty to obey God and help others in need. Society as a whole is to wide a range. To improve the society the individual has to be willing to help the individual and every individual has to be willing to make sacrifices.

[Virgil]

I think we owe it to ourselves to make the world a better place, society is what we make of it.

Very nicely said drama. You don't like the society you live in? Then move. Otherwise, yes everyone owes society to help their neighbor and build a better society.

[Plauen]

How does society do anything for the individual? The concept of society kills the individual, in the first place. You should contribute if you think your sociey is noble, however.

[chasestalling]

owe is an awful word making it seem as if we're coerced rather than compelled to contribute.

if i contribute, i do it freely with a clean conscience otherwise that which i have to contribute won't be of any benefit.

[jon1jt]

most individuals do what's in their best interest and will continue to push the boundaries wherever and whenever they can, and there is nothing wrong with that.

maybe you've "cheated" on your taxes. if you got away with it. i say good for you.

give individuals a "choice" whether to pay taxes and see how many "contribute" willingly. what individuals really want is basic protection. they want to know neighborhoods will be safe for their kids to play in. you don't need "society" for that.

let's not make civic duty out to be another castle in the sky. spare me the pounding of your patriotic drums. it's just a nice idea.

[papayahed]

give individuals a "choice" whether to pay taxes and see how many "contribute" willingly. what individuals really want is basic protection. they want to know neighborhoods will be safe for their kids to play in. you don't need "society" for that.


Really? And what do you need for that?

[jon1jt]

Really? And what do you need for that?


like-minded neighbors.

[papayahed]

like-minded neighbors.


in other words a society.

[jon1jt]

in other words a society.


i anticipated that one. :lol: i'm thinking more like a one issue interest group, an affiliation that doesn't extort money from its members for unseemly wars and such. :)

[applepie]

I don't know that I really OWE anything to society, but I feel a responsibility to give back when I'm able. At the moment, paying taxes and not breaking the law is all I have the time and money to do. When I have more time, however, I like to volunteer for different causes, and I also donate money to some causes. I guess I mostly agree with drama. I don't owe it to society, but I owe it to mysef. Being generous with others is something that I pride myself on, and I find that when I'm kind and giving to others they will be more kind in return.