With reference to Aristotle, Is it preferable for a society to suffer acts of injustice or to commit them?
With reference to Aristotle, Is it preferable for a society to suffer acts of injustice or to commit them?
Aristotle once argued that it is always preferable to suffer an act of injustice rather than to commit one. This is an interesting argument to think about when considering the occurrences on September 11 in the United States. Aristotle was making his argument in terms of the individual, but who is to say that the same thought could not apply to a society as well?
When considering whether or not it is preferable for a society to suffer acts of injustice or to commit them it is important to think about the ramifications that the act (whether it is being inflicted or the society is inflicting it on some outside entity) will have on the culture and subcultures that comprise a society. In regards to the September 11 tragedy and the effects that it has had on American society (and its various cultures and subcultures), it would seem that it is preferable to suffer acts of injustice rather than to commit them. Since the terrorist attacks on the United States, we have seen a great pulling together of the American people. Immediately following the acts of violence against the United States we saw a nation come together in a way that this generation has never known. People that would normally not get along with one another came together to help a common cause (via rescue efforts, various fundraisers, etc...) and to share in the grief of an act of injustice committed not against a specific group within our society, but against the entire country, against every man, woman, and child calling themselves an American. Political agendas were put aside as the country came together in a show of solidarity that would have been impossible to achieve on September 10 or any other date prior to the 11th. Minority and special interest groups ceased political protests and expressions of malcontent with our countries leaders in order to show oneness as a nation and to let our officials concentrate on the issue at hand. Television programs were sensitive to provide a sense of solidarity by not mocking our president and projecting a positive, patriotic attitude. Even the entire United States Congress came together to sing "God Bless America" on national television.
Aristotle once argued that it is always preferable to suffer an act of injustice rather than to commit one. This is an interesting argument to think about when considering the occurrences on September 11 in the United States. Aristotle was making his argument in terms of the individual, but who is to say that the same thought could not apply to a society as well?
When considering whether or not it is preferable for a society to suffer acts of injustice or to commit them it is important to think about the ramifications that the act (whether it is being inflicted or the society is inflicting it on some outside entity) will have on the culture and subcultures that comprise a society. In regards to the September 11 tragedy and the effects that it has had on American society (and its various cultures and subcultures), it would seem that it is preferable to suffer acts of injustice rather than to commit them. Since the terrorist attacks on the United States, we have seen a great pulling together of the American people. Immediately following the acts of violence against the United States we saw a nation come together in a way that this generation has never known. People that would normally not get along with one another came together to help a common cause (via rescue efforts, various fundraisers, etc...) and to share in the grief of an act of injustice committed not against a specific group within our society, but against the entire country, against every man, woman, and child calling themselves an American. Political agendas were put aside as the country came together in a show of solidarity that would have been impossible to achieve on September 10 or any other date prior to the 11th. Minority and special interest groups ceased political protests and expressions of malcontent with our countries leaders in order to show oneness as a nation and to let our officials concentrate on the issue at hand. Television programs were sensitive to provide a sense of solidarity by not mocking our president and projecting a positive, patriotic attitude. Even the entire United States Congress came together to sing "God Bless America" on national television.
