Does anyone know what the phrase : "An individual's obligation to society ought to outweigh society" means?

Question

I heard this phrase and never really understood the meaning behind it. If possible, does anyone know who said it? Any inside look at the phrase and its analysis would be helpful.

Answer 1

The phrase, "An individual's obligation to soceity ought to outweigh society" at first glance seems enigmatic, but further thought into the quote helps it make sense. Let's see...

Okay, let's say society decided that all human beings needed to be executed, in order to preserve nature. Your obligation to society is to save society from itself, by objecting to and stopping manslaughter.

In other words, who and what society is needs to be balanced by the ones who make up society (i.e., you). So, in any case, if society becomes evil or malevolent, your duty to society should outweigh society, meaning that your duty to save society is greater than whatever society thinks is best for itself. Read the play "Julius Caesar," by William Shakespeare. After Brutus, Caesar's dear friend, slays Caesar, he later says, "It was not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." In other words, his obligation to preserve and save Rome was greater than his obligation to Caesar.

Does that make sense?

Answer 2

It means that citizens have an obligation to make their society good, especially when they see it doing wrong.

Society has a collective power to do much harm. The individual has the right and the obligation to oppose that power and demand right actions by the society.

Its a fundamental law of Liberal thought.

Answer 3

What class is this for? You should just come out and say that you have an essay question you need help with....

Answer 4

Be selfish. You create your own reality.