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From: mms1646@acf4.UUCP (Michael M. Sykora)
Newsgroups: net.politics.theory
Subject: Re: Explorations of "social-interest": Origins of Human Society
Message-ID: <2380067@acf4.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 1-Jul-85 21:03:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: acf4.2380067
Posted: Mon Jul  1 21:03:00 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 5-Jul-85 05:10:42 EDT
References: <373@spar.UUCP>
Organization: New York University
Lines: 27

>/* theory / baba@spar.UUCP (Baba ROM DOS) / 12:02 pm  Jun 28, 1985 */

>Can you cite a single instance of a lasting human society (not a club 
>or other special-interest organization) being formed by the rational 
>agreement of otherwise atomic human beings?

I suppose that the beginnings of society were formed out of a common 
interest of men.  But even if they weren't, it seems clear that at
least in modern times society continues to evolve because men seek to
better their condition thru mutual cooperation.

>There is disagreement among anthropologists 
>about how human societies form and develop, but it would appear that man
>is an *instinctively* social animal.  Do you have evidence to the contrary?

I don't see any disagreement here, necessarily.  One of the benefits
men obtain by forming society (perhaps the main one) is interaction with
other human beings.

Furthermore, it would appear that men form
such organizations as corporate entities for mutual benefit, not out
of gregariousness.  As such entities play an important role in society,
it seems that at least certain aspects of society came into existence 
and/or continue to evolve because of men's perception that such aspects
(institutions, if you like) of society further their interests.

						Baba