Are we social by nature?
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Question
'Social by nature' — the claim?
Answer
That humans are built to live in community, so we only flourish among others — not that we merely choose to cooperate.
Question
Aristotle's 'political animal'?
Answer
A being made to live in a community (the polis); language, reason, friendship and justice only grow among others.
Question
Aristotle's 'beast or a god' line?
Answer
Anyone who could truly live outside all community would be a beast or a god, not a normal human — we're made for society.
Question
Individualism?
Answer
The view that society is basically a collection of separate individuals — you're an individual first, society a deal you strike second.
Question
Hobbes on society?
Answer
He pictures separate individuals before society, who build one only to escape danger — society is a useful deal, not a natural home.
Question
The problem for individualism?
Answer
Even the 'lone individual' learned language and reason among others first — so the individual was already shaped by a community.
Question
Social by nature — reasoned verdict?
Answer
'Yes, but': we're deeply social by nature (Aristotle), yet still free individuals who can question and remake our institutions.
Question
The topic's arc in one line?
Answer
Structures & institutions (8.1.1) → family, marriage, education (8.1.2) → are we social by nature? (8.1.3).
Question
Social philosophy on the exam?
Answer
An optional theme → Paper 1 Section B: an essay on a set question, no stimulus [25], usually 'Evaluate' or 'Discuss'.
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Full study notes for Are we social by nature?
Topic 8.1 hub
Social structures and institutions
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