A FREE SOCIETY IS A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY WITHOUT A COMMON HIERARCHY OF PARTICULAR ENDS
A free society thrives on pluralism, meaning it allows for diverse aims without imposing a common hierarchy of goals. While some criticize this lack of shared objectives, it is actually a vital aspect that fosters individual freedom. The Great Society shows that people can work together peacefully and mutually benefit from each other even when they pursue different goals. This collaboration became possible through the practice of barter or exchange, where individuals trade goods based on their unique needs and uses, without needing to agree on the purposes behind their transactions.
In such a society, individuals unknowingly support each other’s differing aims as they pursue their own interests. This contrasts with organizations where members must align their goals. The strengths of the Great Society lie in the diversity of knowledge and intentions among its members, which helps everyone benefit, regardless of whether they are self-interested or altruistic.
Some people find it troubling that the Great Society lacks common goals, viewing this as a moral failing. However, the very absence of enforced common ends allows for a peaceful coexistence among individuals with differing aims. The belief that a society needs a shared scale of values to maintain order is misleading and counterproductive. While there may be comfort in shared goals within small groups, this instinct often leads to larger threats to freedom, such as nationalism and socialism. Ultimately, individual exploration and varying purposes contribute significantly to societal advancement, making agreement on specific ends unnecessary for a thriving and progressive society.
A free society thrives on pluralism, meaning it allows for diverse aims without imposing a common hierarchy of goals. While some criticize this lack of shared objectives, it is actually a vital aspect that fosters individual freedom. The Great Society shows that people can work together peacefully and mutually benefit from each other even when they pursue different goals. This collaboration became possible through the practice of barter or exchange, where individuals trade goods based on their unique needs and uses, without needing to agree on the purposes behind their transactions.
In such a society, individuals unknowingly support each other’s differing aims as they pursue their own interests. This contrasts with organizations where members must align their goals. The strengths of the Great Society lie in the diversity of knowledge and intentions among its members, which helps everyone benefit, regardless of whether they are self-interested or altruistic.
Some people find it troubling that the Great Society lacks common goals, viewing this as a moral failing. However, the very absence of enforced common ends allows for a peaceful coexistence among individuals with differing aims. The belief that a society needs a shared scale of values to maintain order is misleading and counterproductive. While there may be comfort in shared goals within small groups, this instinct often leads to larger threats to freedom, such as nationalism and socialism. Ultimately, individual exploration and varying purposes contribute significantly to societal advancement, making agreement on specific ends unnecessary for a thriving and progressive society.