Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version nyu B notes v1.5 12/10/84; site acf4.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!genrad!panda!talcott!harvard!seismo!cmcl2!acf4!mms1646 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