shiner Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 (edited) How can one contribute to society? How big of a priority is this for people? Obviously there are obvious ways (making scientific discoveries, medical breakthroughs, etc.). But how about on a lower, personal level? Does an organized crime leader contribute to society? I think so but I couldn't explain why. Is contributing to society necessary to find happiness? I guess so but again I can't explain why exactly. What exactly classifies as a "contribution"? Any opinions on these questions and this issue as whole? And also, do we owe society just because we are born into it? Edited December 13, 2003 by shiner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anileve Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 (edited) Contributing to the society is an antidote to our unconscious guilt of selfishness engraved in our nature. I for one am a believer that “selflessness” is a fictitious based on a desirable yet non existent state of human nature. There are only degrees of selfishness, selflessness on the other hand is a hoax we force ourselves to believe in, because the word selfishness is given such a negative connotation many fall into frenzy when they are classified as selfish. I say that it is inevitable and such is a reality that must be accepted. As an example of this claim is different perceptions of what a “proper contribution” to the society would be. It is all subjective thus emphasizing the obvious presence of selfishness in our nature. And also, do we owe society just because we are born into it? You don’t owe anything to a society, perhaps more so to your mother, but her initiative to give you birth was of selfish nature on its own. Thus you don’t owe anything to anyone, except to yourself. In the end the answer to your question is a very simple one. The only contribution to the society each one us makes will encompass our desired feeling for self-sufficiency and that is on its own is very subjective, thus there is no standard. Edited December 13, 2003 by anileve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harut Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 these are of those questions that have been keeping my mind occupied at this age of mine. i think that everyone has his/her own take on it (to contribute to or exploit it). and of course it comes from one's priorities in life (as we've discussed it before). i personally, can't come to a conclusion on which side i would like to be, devote a good part of my life for greater good, or not. but, i think that everyone does a contribution to a society, the crime leader (as you mentioned) and the homeless too. but i would think of them as negative contributions. regarding the "obvious ways" of contributing... i think it is a whole issue by its own. a question rises whether those are done because you feel that you need to contribute for the sake of the greater good (or just the peace of your mind)... or whether you do so because you expect a reward in return from the society (be that financially or just a fame). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harut Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 overall, i think i would define contribution as something done for greater good by fully or partially sacrificing one's individual being without expecting any reward in return. it's not required, but if you feel obligated then you should do it for you own peace of mind. hmm, after that definition, i ask myself "do artists contribute to the society"? for example, many (most) painters don't paint to please others or contribute to the culture, but to do it for their own satisfaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiner Posted December 13, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 (edited) But I think you can contribute to society involuntarily, by acting selfish. Let's say I own a business (to make money for myself) and in the process I employ 5 people. And I also offer my goods and services to my clients. I think I would be contributing to society even though that's not my goal. Edited December 13, 2003 by shiner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harut Posted December 16, 2003 Report Share Posted December 16, 2003 hmm, that sounds true too. but i would still give more altruistic meaning to contribution. otherwise that would mean, that i'm too contributing to the society, because by wiping toiletts at mcdonald's not only i earn a paycheck and more income for the boss, but i also contribute to the sanitation and health of the community around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiner Posted December 16, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2003 Harut, Yeah I think you would be contributing to society in your McDonald's example. Even though it's a low job someone has to do it. Society needs those type of people as much as it needs more elevated people. A society full of bosses only would not function. I guess (and I'm only guessing) you would not be contributing as much as an inventor, or scientist, or industrialist because you are more easily replaceable. I don't know. This is one way of looking at it. It could be wrong. Maybe there is no answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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