Sociology: Understanding the Individual and Society
Sociology: Individual and Society
Human beings are social beings and need to live in society to develop their intelligence. For that reason, the study of society has been an important topic in philosophy. In recent centuries, it has become independent, constituted as a special science—sociology—mainly from the work of A. Comte and later by M. Weber and Émile Durkheim.
We must harness the skills to analyze sociological concepts, methods, and criteria for philosophical truth.
- For biological determinists, the unique and specific characteristic of each individual is their genetic component. For them, all acts are dependent on the biological component.
- For deterministic social or educational perspectives, the unique and specific characteristic is the culture and social context.
- From an integrative stance, more in line with what happens, we acknowledge that there are two essential components that define who we are: the biological and cultural development. Both dimensions are personal and individual realities of each human being. We are born with certain unique and individual qualities that make us individuals, and more specifically, unique and irreplaceable persons. To achieve this, we need society. The word ‘society’ is often used to refer to forms of social organization of human beings based on their nature or cultural dimension, and not merely on the natural.
For this reason, social and cultural relations are often used interchangeably.
The cultural characteristics unique to human beings, like language, morality, the possibility of knowledge, and the quest for meaning, are consequences of life in society. There is a natural biological basis that allows for these characteristics, but if society had not developed, they would not be what they are. Early philosophers realized this.
Characteristics of Current Social Organization
- We are indebted to the social and political model developed in modernity, which values individual freedom and the aspiration to live a life based on equality and dignity for all human beings.
- The autonomy and value of the individual have been overstated, to the extent that we speak of “selfish individualism” as characteristic of our time. This is due to the rise of capitalism and consumption, which has taken precedence over private freedom of social and civil duties. Some define the actual human being as a “being consumed”.
- The problem lies in achieving the right balance between state power and the individual. The state has its institutions to exercise power, but to legitimize its power depends on the value of individuals as persons.
- It is estimated that the involvement of civil society in the field of social and political organization is encouraged. Civil society is an association of individuals outside of interests or political institutions that join because they share common interests and concerns, such as family, associations, etc.
All these associations are very important, representing the value of the individual, but associated, allowing it to join forces in the conquest of common achievements.
These associations can exercise control over state power, allowing for independent public opinion, capable of expressing and demanding achievements that are of common interest.
At present, philosophers and intellectuals place the hope of a better world in building a civil society that is educated, informed, cooperative, and responsible. They appeal to solidarity and responsibility of civil society as an alternative future.
- Globalization: Social organization has exceeded the limits of the state, and they resort to supranational organizations like the European Union or United Nations. New times require global solutions. Civil society, the union of responsible and caring human groups, also has an open task.
The education of new generations is a social challenge that may contribute to some solutions. Solutions should be based on personal initiatives but must have a social implication. The individual and social factors intersect again.