Why is our society the way it is?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the complexities of societal structures, including the presence of crime, social hierarchies, and the pursuit of power and fame. Participants explore these concepts from various perspectives, including scientific and evolutionary viewpoints, while acknowledging the broad and vague nature of the initial question.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that understanding societal structures requires extensive academic study, indicating the complexity of the topic.
  • Another notes that entire university sociology departments focus on these questions, implying that simple answers are unlikely.
  • A participant references Steven Pinker's work, proposing that the civilizing process and strong governance have reduced crime over time.
  • There is a question posed about the evolutionary benefits of social hierarchies and whether being at the top of such a hierarchy is advantageous.
  • One participant expresses a personal desire to reshape society dramatically, indicating a more radical perspective on societal change.
  • Another participant reiterates the broadness of the initial question, suggesting it may not be suitable for a concise discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the question is too broad and complex to address thoroughly in a single discussion. Multiple competing views and perspectives remain, particularly regarding the causes and implications of societal structures.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the limitations of addressing such a multifaceted topic in a brief format, with participants acknowledging the need for deeper exploration and academic resources.

Avichal
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I am asking a very vague question here but I've been pondering about it lately.

Why is our society like this? As in, why does our society has criminals, why do we have social hierarchy, why do we try to gain power and fame etc. (and lots of other things)

I cannot help but think about all this from a scientific point of view. Does having a social ladder beneficial in an evolutionary point of view? Has power and fame anything to do with it?

I am not sure what I am asking here, but basically what I want to know is: Instead of a simple society where everyone shares resources, live and reproduce, why are we living in such a complicated society? Hope I make sense.
 
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I think you are asking for at the very least a full series of college-level courses to even begin to get any solid answers to all of that. I think that's probably a bit much for someone to type in here.
 
Whole university sociology departments exist to study this question. I don't think you're going to get a very good answer in a single message.
 
Why is our society like this? As in, why does our society has criminals
For this question I'd advice: Steven Pinker: The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined.

Executive summary: because civilizing process and Leviathan (powerful gov) has some far eliminated the most of crime and not all.

why do we have social hierarchy
Why social hierarchy or why exactly the one that we have? For the second: Francis Fukuyama: The Origins of Political Order.

I cannot help but think about all this from a scientific point of view. Does having a social ladder beneficial in an evolutionary point of view? Has power and fame anything to do with it?
Rephrase the question: Does being on the top on social lader would be beneficial for you from evolutionary perspective? (I think that it such simpler question bring you answer :D )
 
personally, I'd like to take over cuba, transplant the locals, bring in my construction and build it into a self sustaining paradise (for the most part), bring in my version of the the 1% of the population that I like :D as I build the new world order.

until that time arrives I guess i'll have to settle on changing minds the old fashion way, with trickery and fear lol.
 
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As has been said this is far too broad a question.
 

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