> jerome_oneil@yahoo.com wrote:
> > The individual is not of lesser value than
> >society.
> Rod I can't agree with your conclusion, your analogy
> would lead us down the path that each cell in our
> body is superior to ourselves as a whole... doesn't
> work.
If you equate single cell organisms with human
individuals, and petri dish cultures with society,
sure. Such equations are unreasonable.
> >> But I know that I personally value certain
> >> patterns much higher than others, as I'm sure
> >> we all do.
> >
> > Indeed!
>
> Ok we all value patterns differently, therefore we
> are making a quality judgement " some patterns are
> better than others", ergo all patterns are
> relatively better or worse, and none are equal, so
> the vessels which carry these patterns, us, are
> also of different value.
I have no general disagreement with this. My
complaint is with the notion that society is of
greater value than the individual, not that some
individuals are of greater value than others.
> > Patterns that serve the individual will have a
> > positive effect on society. Patterns that serve
> > societies only serve one end. The acquisition of
> > power.
>
> I think you're talikng about governments and
> institutions not society, society is much
> greater than either of these, they are only
> manifestations of society.
Society is *precisely* the governments, institutions,
and other relationships individuals establish and in
which they participate. This, incidently, is
precisely why the "petri dish" analogy fails.
There is no society without the individual. Hence,
the individual is superior to society.
Sincerely,
Jerome "Broken Record" O'Neil
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