what are an individuals obligation to society? and should it outweigh society's obligations to the individual?

Question

please, answer properly. don't just say something openiated.
ps. use facts, laws, etc
thanx

Answer 1

I agree with Leogirl0804 that individuals certainly have an obligation to society, but I think it works the other way too.

A person like Vincent Van Gogh, for example, had a tremendous affect on the world of art, but not until after his death was he appreciated. He sold only one painting in his lifetime. Why? Because people didn't appreciate his artistic style at the time. He died a very sad and lonely man. Van Gogh was practically driven insane by the lack of acceptance he received in the artistic community, yet his contributions today are unquestioned. Did society fail Van Gogh, or did Van Gogh fail society? I don't think the answer to that question is quite so clear.

A more modern day example would be one involving the disability community. Clearly, people with disabilities have many things to offer society, but as they do have disabilities of their own, be they cognitive, physical, or both, they are often required or expected to function in situations which are simply unsuitable to their cognitive or physical abilities. Does society have an obligation to be inclusive to such people, or should society, instead, expect that such people will "overcome" their disabilities and function within society "as if their disability didn't really matter"? A person with a disability might say that "I wouldn't be me without my disability and challenges I have already faced. Why should I be expected to do all the work when I'm the one lacking in a particular area that would be so much easier for others to bend to my needs than for me to bend to theirs?"

As a person with a cognitive disability myself, I'm somewhat biased in my answer since I've struggled for a great deal of time and with a great deal of energy to try to get others to understand my perspective on life. Frankly, most people are genuinely unable to grasp what life is really like for me, and because my disability is cognitive in nature, I can't very well change the way my brain works. I suppose I could change my perceptions of myself and society, but then they wouldn't mirror my experiences.

So I do think there is certainly room for society to do a better job at meeting its obligations of inclusion to the individual at times.

Answer 2

I have always thought an individuals obligation to our society out weighs the society to the individual , as I spent 23 years in the marine corps, and feel our country was built on those premises,
our forefathers certainly thought so to and they were good statesmen, unlike our present day politicians , who will sell us out for the almighty dollar, fact is if some one offered to buy their vote I am sure they would have been challenged to a duel,

Answer 3

Obligations come from the human spirit not laws. I think individuals have a greater obligation to society. This helps society grow. When its the other way around, society usually gets sucked dry.

Answer 4

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
John F. Kennedy