Human Society: Coexistence, Governance, and Well-being
The Essence of Social Living
Human beings are inherently social creatures. We need to live in company, together. We are born totally vulnerable and helpless, and our long period of dependency as infants creates deep family ties.
Why We Live in Society
To Survive
Living in groups makes survival easier. Humans are genetically predisposed to live in society, unlike some animal species that live alone, while others live in groups.
To Connect and Communicate
Human beings have an essential need to communicate. The ability to speak distinguishes us from animals, our feelings drive us to reach out to others, and our intelligence develops only through contact with others.
To Progress and Increase Our Chances
Through education, we inherit all the discoveries of our ancestors, allowing us to progress. If we lived alone, we would have to rebuild everything we need from scratch.
The Indispensable Role of Society
Ultimately, without society, life would not be the same; it would be significantly diminished.
Coexistence and the Role of Politics
While we need to live together to survive, communicate, and progress, social interaction can also lead to problems that need solving. This is precisely the function of politics.
What is Politics?
Politics is defined as the science and art of organizing social life. Its primary aim is to achieve a common good for society through established institutions and laws.
Citizenship and Its Spheres
Citizenship manifests in different forms:
Local Citizenship
We are residents of our city or municipality, participating in local community life.
National Citizenship
We are citizens of a state, protected by its laws and obligated to comply with them. For many, this also extends to being European citizens, as our state belongs to the European Union.
Global Citizenship
We are all citizens of the world. As global citizens, we are protected by universal human rights.
The Evolving Idea of Humanity
In ancient times, people often felt empathy only for those within their own group. The suffering of outsiders was met with indifference; consequently, they were often treated as vermin or animals.
Early philosophers, including Greek and Christian thinkers, were among the first to advocate for brotherhood among all humans. However, the idea that we are all part of a single humanity was slow to be widely accepted, as every society, culture, and nation has historically tended to treat others as inferior and consider themselves superior.
Understanding Utopia
A utopia is a plan or project that seems impossible or impractical at the time it is proposed.
The Pursuit of Happiness
Happiness is a state of mind in which we feel comfortable and content, enabling us to develop our personal life plan or project.
Personal Happiness
A state of individual satisfaction and fulfillment, allowing us to develop our unique life plan.
Societal Happiness
A state of collective satisfaction within society. Societal happiness is crucial for shared well-being, as society protects, supports, and enables individuals to pursue their plans and projects.
The Importance of Emotional Education
Emotional education involves understanding and managing our feelings. It is vital for living comfortably with ourselves and others. In emotional education, five key objectives are proposed for students and children:
- Understanding one’s own feelings.
- Learning to control one’s own feelings.
- Understanding the feelings of others (empathy).
- Knowing how to maintain good relations with others.
- Developing self-esteem.