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The Human Person In Society: Social Interaction & Social Systems

Pre-Activity

The Human Person In Society: Social Interaction & Social Systems

the social contract theory

philosophy

what is a social system?

analysis of different social systems

structural and functional mode of analysis

how does society enable me to become a better person

• Evaluate the transformation of human relationships by social systems and how societies transform individual beings.

• Discuss how human relations are transformed by social systems; and

• Define what a social system is and how to analyze it;

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

During the Enlightenment, social philosophers pondered on the natural laws that govern human societies, and in their discussions, several philosophers put forththeir theories regarding the formation of societies.

the social contract theory

To fully understand the true character of society, they imagined humans as living in a so called “nature state,” removed from modernity and civilization.

People in their natural states are governed by their desires and these often lead to conflict with their fellowmen. Society, therefore, is the means by which people seek to control their natural tendencies and impose order.

Thomas hobbes

– an agreement where individuals sacrifice an amount of their freedom and submit to a higher authority.

"SOCIAL CONTRACT"

Locke considered persons in their natural states as more cooperative and reasonable, and that society is formed through the consent of the individuals that organized it. This concept is known as the consent of the governed.

John Locke

Rousseau believed that even if the people are the ones who organized society and established an authority or government, in extreme cases, the government is able to impose its will on the people.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

John Rawls redefined the social contract and explained that human beings approach social cooperation in a rational manner in order to meet their individual self-interest.

John Rawl

He imagined humans as having a “veil of ignorance,” or no knowledge of one’s own characteristics such as gender, race, or social status.

Gauthier described people’s self-interest as a significant factor in building and maintaining societies. People choose to cooperate since the actions of individuals in meeting their individual needs also further the interests of other members of society.

David Gauthier

Although there are variations on the social contract theory, perhaps one common feature they all have is the fact that the different individuals enter into a kind of agreement with one another to form a society. Individual members put aside their self-interest in order to create a community where they may live in harmony with others.

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What Is a Social System?

A social system is an organized or patterned set of relationships among individuals and groups of society. It consists of a group of individual actors interacting with each other in a situation that has at least a physical or environmental aspect.

There are four factors that make up a social system and the relationships involved in forming it.

First, a social system is composed of two or more individuals, which are called actors.

Second, the actors interact with one another physically or in an environment.

Third, the interaction is goal-directed, which means that they are interacting because they have a goal to achieve.

Fourth, the relationship is mediated by shared symbols.

Hence, social organizations are social systems because they are made up of individuals interacting for a common goal, where each has a part or function.

Social systems are regarded as open systems. That is, the individuals in a social system have regular interactions with their environing systems (or the external environment).

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Analysis of Different Social Systems

The social systems theory is a theoretical scheme which articulates or describes a field of system, in relation to another which is equally a part of the same broader fundamental system.

According to the American sociologist Talcott Parsons, social systems analysis must involve three logically independent but also interdependent bases or axes of variability. These basis are the following:

The hierarchy of relations of control

A distinction between the two dynamic processes of maintaining system equilibrium and structural change in the system

A distinction between the structural and the functional

The hierarchy of relations of control

A distinction between the two dynamic processes of maintaining system equilibrium and structural change in the system

A distinction between the structural and the functional

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Structural mode and functional mode of analysis

The concept structure focuses on patterns of the system, which may be regarded as independent of the lower-amplitude and shorter time-range fluctuations in the relationship of the system to its external situation

Since the creation, the Philippine Constitution has remained the basis of governace. In this constitution, all of these remain constant:

division between the legislative and the executive branches of the goverment ; the independent judiciary; the seperation of the church and state; and the basic rights of personal liberty, assembly, and property

The functional reference related to the problem of mediation between two fundamental sets of exigencies

those imposed by the giveness of the environing situation external to the system.

those imposed by the relative cosistancy or "giveness of a structure and

What Parsons meant by environing situations here is not the physical enviroment but the behavior and personalities of the individuals within the social system and the relevant cultural systems

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HOW DOES SOCIETY ENABLE ME TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON?

Although society greatly influences the development of the self, the human person still has freedom to choose not to be fully defined by his or her background or society. We have the freedom to rise above our circumstances and make ourselves into something different or better.

Society recognizes the capability of the persons to develop, and provide its members with opportunities to make themselves better. Effective and efficient public service, education, and the maintenance of peace and order are some of theways society ensures that we are able to have productive lives and realize our potential.

Although society greatly influences the development of the self, the human person still has freedom to choose not to be fully defined by his or her background or society. We have the freedom to rise above our circumstances and make ourselves into something different or better.

Although society greatly influences the development of the self, the human person still has freedom to choose not to be fully defined by his or her background or society. We have the freedom to rise above our circumstances and make ourselves into something different or better.

A part from choosing not to be fully defined by society, persons can also undertake to contribute to society through their decisions and actions.

As nuch as we are influenced by our surroundings, our physical limits, and our society , our personality still provides us an opportunity to transcend and define ourselve on our own terms

Society recognizes the capbility of the persons to develop, and provide its members with opportunities to make themselves better

Social systems are in place to ensure the welfare of the person in society through the various institutions and groups, society strives to recognize and promote their individual dignity of persons and guarantees that they are able to live harmoniously with others

Society recognizes the capbility of the persons to develop, and provide its members with opportunities to make themselves better

A part from choosing not to be fully defined by society, persons can also undertake to contribute to society through their decisions and actions

You embody all these roles and therefore should do your utmost to uphold the responsibilities that go with them. All members of society are expected to do their share in upholding the values and goals of their respective societies and ensure that their society continues to be oriented toward what is good and beneficial for all.

An individual's action can also cause great changes in society. Previously, it was thought that the "great", "influencial", or "powerful" individuals can bring about change in their respective societies.

The concept structure focuses on patterns of the system, which may be regarded as independent of the lower-amplitude and shorter time-range fluctuations in the relationship of the system to its external situation

However, the numerous oppotunities provided nowadays by improved technology and access to information have given ordinary people the means to be sources of social change themselves

Another way that individuals can bring about social change is by organizing themselves into groups that advocate certain causes.

A social movement, which is a large-scale action done by various groups and organization in pursuit of a common goal to bring about change

In taking action to bring about positive changes in our society, we are able to fulfill our purpose as human beings who are living and interacting with our greater community and working toward achieving the greater good.

Post-Activity

End