The Interaction Between an Individual and Society - Research Paper Example

A mode of vital experience of space time, of the self and others, of life's possibilities and perils, shared by men and women all over the world today - Berman, 1982. Marshall Berman describes modernity in this inspired quotation, further modernity encompasses social change and the manner in which these social changes are experienced and reflected in various circles. It connotes various things, which are contradictory, like definition and ambiguity, static definitions and constant change. Berman states that modern humans "are moved at once by a will to change, by a terror of disorientation and disintegration, of life falling apart" (Berman, 1982). Change with its concomitant partner the unknown, has the capacity to frighten though this change might be eagerly sought out. Berman further expounds that "to be modern is to live a life of paradox and contradiction, to be both revolutionary and conservative: alive to new possibilities for experience and adventure, frightened by the nihilistic depths to which so many modern adventures lead" (Berman, 1982). The consumer by virtue of his purchasing power, in the exercise of which, decides whether to purchase or not, is considered to be the master in a capitalistic society. Berman however, disagrees and to buttress his contention states that the availability of options only begins the list of restrictions. He further states that this seeming paradox arises because modernity is defined by a set of contradictory ideas constantly shifting and changing even while remaining the same. Further, as people learn to interact with and within this environment, these contradictions become so familiar and ingrained that they are no longer apparent. In this context Berman said, "To be modern is to live a life of paradox and contradiction" (Berman, 1982). It is essential to understand different features of modern urban life and the place of man in a modern city. In The Metropolis and Mental Life, Simmel gave an analytical treatment of the topic " individual life in the context of modern, metropolitan life" (Micro Approaches and Simmel) wherein he contended that in a modern urban society an individual can successfully develop his capabilities, as it promotes individual freedom, all the same he stated emphatically that "the city conspires to erase difference by assaulting the individual with an overwhelming and never-ending stream of visual stimuli" (Byram, 2002). He also said that our society consists of individual interactions which define its identity, "While there is no perception of society until individuals begin to interact, once formed by the interaction of individuals, the society affects the individuals as an outside force" (Crow Ch., et al., 2000). Benjamin considered the modern urban experience from the perspective of the development of technologies and supportive communications with an emphasis on their liberating influence on society. He was in favour of such technologies as film and photography which were "making available radical new access and roles for art in mass culture" (Bicket, 2001). Simmel and Benjamin stressed the importance of technological development and its influence on art, culture and its furtherance of the understanding of the social environment. Simmel's views tend to focus on the negative influence of urban life on individuals, whereas Benjamin views are more positively inclined in respect of the technological and cultural aspects of modern and post-modern urban society. A utopia is an imaginary place which is socially, morally, and politically ideal, whereas a dystopia is its exact opposite. Ideologies are as transient as fashions and are as subjective, as they are relative to the perspective employed. Hitler had a utopia in mind while creating the Thousand Year Reich, but Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, and other victims of his vision would beg to differ (Tartar, 2004). Human rationality implies, for enlightened thinkers, an attempt to know and understand the natural world, and the use of rational principles to solve social interaction problems. These attempts should culminate in the realization of enlightened faith and idealism in a utopian society. Nietzsche opposed this progress as being nave; but was unable to elude it. A second theme is that involving contradictions existing between communality and individuality. Human consciousness was passive while accepting ideology, doctrine, orthodoxy and mass thinking, and it saw reality in the liturgy of vested interests. Ideology arises when a group advances certain socially constructed realities which serve their interests, but which are projected as being in everyone else's best interests, even though others disagree or don't understand it. Critical theory views rationality in terms of theoretical consistency and in the standards of pragmatic social reality. Rational planning for realistic action involves regulative ideals, which have been formulated as enlightened possibilities for the acquisition of knowledge and proper conduct. Enlightenment's theoretical reverence for reason proceeded in two opposing wrong directions. One became the instrumental reason for technological rationality and the other culminated in logical positivism which, understood knowledge only in logico-mathematical terms, denying any truth or practical relevance to values (Regelski, 2005). A Metropolis is a big city which can also be the capital of a country, state or region. Historically, mobility, economy, technology and infrastructure rapidly transformed the metropolis, in disruptive and sometimes destructive ways. Some major factors leading to the growth of Metropolises are migration of population from the rural areas to the cities, the existence of entrepreneurs, businesses, trades, tourism and the industrialization of the community. Richard Sennett's notion of passive and comfortable public spaces addresses the issue of the relation of an individual's exposure to its social environment. On the other hand Le Bon's theory of crowds refers to people of similar thinking congregating in the same place. Simmel's notions regarding individualization enables us to understand urban identity as influenced by ambient change. Avant Garde is a French martial term which means vanguard, symbolizes advanced and experimental movements in the arts, in form and taste. Members of the American Avant Garde mainly manifested themselves abroad, to break through the bondage of establishments, opposing scandal and violence, relying on collaboration among the arts, finding inspiration in the phantasmagorical, or, creations of the imagination. Psycho-geography, the study of precise effects of geographical settings, implies consciousness or behavior acting directly on the individual's mood. It critically analyses the prevalent situation involving common people; especially the situationists, who are consciously affected by what is happening around them. The processes of modernization, globalization and urbanization have increased the size and growth of many cities in the world. Economic activity became strongly concentrated in some central areas of developing metropolises. In the past economic activities were primitive and agrarian, and social structure was simple. The characteristics of metropolises are their large population base and their being centres of economic growth. Various factors affecting this growth are mentioned in the table below II. Richard Sinnett's notion of "passive" and "comfortable" public spaces having their own identity has its impact on every individual according to its personal preferences, background and choices. According to the Le Bon's Theory an individual's behaviour is different in crowds, psychologically giving him mental strength to do things which may contradict his individual behaviour. The belief that he forms part of an organized crowd makes him descend several rungs in the ladder of civilization. In isolation, an individual may appear to be cultivated but in a crowd he is transformed into a barbarian. Crowds show togetherness and individual identity disappears in a crowd. People tend to follow the decision of the leader, if such a decision is in agreement to a set of common interests among these people. In a metropolis people are no longer in personal touch with each other and moreover the people have a more comfortable life and more individual freedom in choosing their occupation and interests. In large urban societies people generally struggle for many things, which range from making a living to establishing their identity. A major portion of the labour section of any metropolitan population will always be in search of adequate earnings. The process of production and earning renders the individuality of any individual insignificant. Such an individual is not only beyond the purview of social bonding but is also deprived of its protection. The earliest phase of social formations found in historical as well as in contemporary social structures is that of relatively small groups that are firmly closed against neighboring, strange, or in some way antagonistic groups. However, these groups are close knit and allow their individual members highly restricted avenues for the development of unique qualities and free, self-responsible movements. An individual tends to be subjective about things and situations and objective about others around him. The interaction between an individual and society explains certain types of behaviour and on the basis of this interaction others in the society form a favourable or unfavourable view about this individual. Read More