Theme?

[Honorstudent]

What is more important, the perception of society or individual rights?

[cafolini]

What is more important, the perception of society or individual rights?

Individual rights. That's why in USA the popular vote, which is the perception of society, is not allowed to control government. The popular vote could be bought or forced in many primitive areas, while in highly dense urban centers that would be a very difficult thing to do. The electoral college is a very important part of democracy.

[nicbrezzy33]

I think the individual rights because it gives you sort of a chance to voice your opinion. What I mean by that is you don't want someone to tell who you have to vote for or else but instead you get to vote for whoever you think is the best candidate for that position.just like you in t he grand jury and everything thinks your guilty you can say he isn't if that's the true way that you feel. And yeah the perception of society is important but with having individual rights can somewhat change that in my option. This is why the electoral college is a very important job because those people get to choose who will be the commander and chief which is the president for the next for years.

[Honorstudent]

Yes, thats also what I was leaning towards was Individual Rights. In our society that seems to be the obvious reason because of it importance in democracy like you said, cafolini. In the book 1984, though, are individual rights as important? Do they perceive to society that they have individual rights? I think my original question is all based on point of view of certain societies as there is a big difference between Winston society and American society. Thanks for your input, guys, I couldn't agree more.

[Eiseabhal]

I'd like to reply to this but I do not think I fully understand the question? Isn't 't society a group of individuals? We cannot just act as we please. I don't break the speed limit when I 'm driving but I know a lot of people do. Are they expressing individual rights. I suppose in an ideal state of anarchy there would be nothing but do as thou wilt.

[Honorstudent]

@Eiseabhal, in my opinion, a society is a group of people, but more over, its how they run their government and act towards each other. almost like the entire "package", if you will, of any civilization. This in turn would mean individual rights would be those of a single person and not the whole group. So, clarifying my question, is the way society is brought up or perceived to be, more important than the rights of a single human? Linking it to 1984, Government perceives itself and one thing and yet the right of individuals are extinguished. Thanks for replying. :)