Human relations Flashcards
Definition of interpersonal relationships
An inter-personal relation is an association between two or more individuals
Where does politics fit into all this?
The political institution, as an institution is not created by man but arises due to man’s nature. Although men can come together in order to provide their own basic necessities, the community provides conditions through which man can develop his intellectual, moral and physical virtues to help one realize his nature. In his nature, man cannot do without politics.
Definition of society
The unfailing manifestation of human coexistence according to types, subject to different alternatives in so far as they are human.
Four important elements in the definition of society
- An unfailing manifestation
- In the relation with others, there can be different types of societies. (organization according to types)
- Any society implies human co-existence or formation of social bonds. (Human co existence)
- There are various alternatives which a person can freely choose to become a member of. (subject to alternatives)
An unfailing manifestation
Where a human being is, she/he needs a society. A person cannot fail to be with others no matter how individualistic the person is.
Organization according to types
The organization can be according to nature or according to nurture (by man). These types enable the person to achieve specific purposes or aims. According to nature are like the family and according to nurture are like sports associations.
The types/forms are: according to nature (natural societies and artificial societies); according to level (basic level; intermediate level; highest level)
Human co-existence
Individual actions are also social actions. What I do as a person has an influence on other persons I co-exist (associate) with.
Human co-existence refers to the fact that societies should enable man realize her/his nature as man. If a society stifles or limits man’s nature, then that society cannot flourish. In addition, no human action is independent of society. When I choose to study or not to study, I will have an impact on the people who support me and those who depend on me. No human action takes place in a vacuum.
Subject to alternatives
Subject to alternatives implies the free nature of man to join in these social relations, and as such, these relations can be viewed from an ethical angle since it involves man’s free decisions.
A person should not be forced to become a member of a particular society. Free association is part of human nature.
Types of societies
Natural societies
Artificial societies
Natural societies
Linked to nature.
Occur naturally and its aims are natural.
The laws which govern such societies emanate from nature, for instance natural moral law.
Examples of natural societies include: families; political communities.
Artificial societies
They are different kinds of societies which forms voluntarily and it’s not necessary that such societies be formed.
The aims of these societies are determined by the members and the laws which govern such societies are agreed upon by the members.
An example of an artificial society is a sports club or a company.
Societies structured in basic and fundamental ways
Primary/Basic society
Intermediate society
Highest society
Primary/basic society
Is the family
The family is the most basic society and is its nucleus
Nature: Natural
Aim: Unity, procreation, education and nutrition
Laws governing it: Natural moral law
Intermediate society
An example is a school, university or a business.
Nature: Artificial
Aim: Decided by the members e.g. education in the case of a school
Laws governing it: Artificial laws e.g. statutes
Highest society
Is the political community, e.g. the state.
Nature: Natural
Aim: Common good
Laws governing it: Constitution which has the bill or rights (natural) and other chapters