Madeline Neubert
Philosophy and Society
11/5/17
A Perfect Society, an Association, and a State: Discussing Aquinas, Kant, and Marx A political system, depending on its’ influences, can shape into a different role for its’ individual members. In the lenses of Thomas Aquinas, Immanuel Kant, and Karl Marx, the different societies in question are founded on different bases of beliefs, needs, and perceptions of the individual. The perfect society, association, or state, for its’ members, differs depending on the philosopher behind the beliefs. A society could mean a self-sufficient entity. An association could mean a group of all different individuals. A state could mean class separation and economic power. A society, for its’ individual members, …show more content…
Aquinas argues that society should be big enough, and strong enough, to provide for its’ individual members. The society needs to have the goods in order to fulfill the individual’s needs, and this societal context enables the individual to survive. Self-sufficiency is the accumulated, primary goal for mankind in terms of a political entity. The perfect society, Aquinas believes, is entitled to creating the good of social order for its’ individuals. If the society can set clear roles, laws, and regulations, its’ individuals can grow without the worries of war and disruption. This, in turn, supports Aquinas’ idea that the general welfare and health of the individuals depends on the power of the state. Aquinas believes that a perfect society’s job for its’ individuals is to defends its’ citizens from external factors, such as criminals and enemies that are threatening the safety of the people. The society, Aquinas believes, should stop any outside force that wants to inhibit the rights and free will of its’ citizens. Aquinas believes that every societal law should be pertained to the common good- which is the needs of every individual in the society. The society is in charge of the well-being of the community and the social benefits on the individuals. A free human being, according to Aquinas, is not a slave. A man should have responsibility and freedom in this perfect, self-sufficient society of individuals. Aquinas draws influence from religion and Catholicism to analyze his perfect society and its’ role for its’ individuals. The happiness of the individuals, according to Aquinas, should be found in the source of all good. This source is God. The perfect society should be able to pride for the needs of the individuals and be self-sufficient in nature, but the happiness of the individuals should be sought through God. It is natural for an individual to live and flourish in a
Philosophy and Society
11/5/17
A Perfect Society, an Association, and a State: Discussing Aquinas, Kant, and Marx A political system, depending on its’ influences, can shape into a different role for its’ individual members. In the lenses of Thomas Aquinas, Immanuel Kant, and Karl Marx, the different societies in question are founded on different bases of beliefs, needs, and perceptions of the individual. The perfect society, association, or state, for its’ members, differs depending on the philosopher behind the beliefs. A society could mean a self-sufficient entity. An association could mean a group of all different individuals. A state could mean class separation and economic power. A society, for its’ individual members, …show more content…
Aquinas argues that society should be big enough, and strong enough, to provide for its’ individual members. The society needs to have the goods in order to fulfill the individual’s needs, and this societal context enables the individual to survive. Self-sufficiency is the accumulated, primary goal for mankind in terms of a political entity. The perfect society, Aquinas believes, is entitled to creating the good of social order for its’ individuals. If the society can set clear roles, laws, and regulations, its’ individuals can grow without the worries of war and disruption. This, in turn, supports Aquinas’ idea that the general welfare and health of the individuals depends on the power of the state. Aquinas believes that a perfect society’s job for its’ individuals is to defends its’ citizens from external factors, such as criminals and enemies that are threatening the safety of the people. The society, Aquinas believes, should stop any outside force that wants to inhibit the rights and free will of its’ citizens. Aquinas believes that every societal law should be pertained to the common good- which is the needs of every individual in the society. The society is in charge of the well-being of the community and the social benefits on the individuals. A free human being, according to Aquinas, is not a slave. A man should have responsibility and freedom in this perfect, self-sufficient society of individuals. Aquinas draws influence from religion and Catholicism to analyze his perfect society and its’ role for its’ individuals. The happiness of the individuals, according to Aquinas, should be found in the source of all good. This source is God. The perfect society should be able to pride for the needs of the individuals and be self-sufficient in nature, but the happiness of the individuals should be sought through God. It is natural for an individual to live and flourish in a