Day 2

Psychology and Sociology of Human Society (Foundational Information)

I. Motivating Force of ALL Human Events, Actions, Words, and Deeds: Human Nature.

• A. ALL people are constantly preoccupied with their wants and needs!  

     All people want to be “happy.”

• B. This is called “Self-Interest”

II. Multiple “Self-Interest’s” competing for same resource = “Conflict.”

1. Conflict is natural.
2. Conflict can be resolved in 3 ways.

1. One “Unit of Measure” Walks Away from Conflict.
2. Multiple “Units of Measure” Fight
3. Multiple “Units of Measure” Share/Negotiate Resolution

III. GIVEN: ALL HUMAN BEINGS WITH “TYPICAL” COGNITIVE ABILITES POSSESS HUMAN NATURE....

1. Contemplation: Is Human Nature Perfect or Flawed? Are Human Beings Naturally “Good” or “Bad?”

1. The Pursuit of One’s Self-Interest IS the Motivating Force of ALL

Human Events.

2.   So, if this is True…How Does an Individual Meet their Self-Interest?

3. Individual Attempt to Meet their Self-Interest by the Accumulation

of RESOURCES.

4. RESOURCE: A source or supply from which benefit is produced.

1. Types of Resources:

1. Physical: Water, Food, Oil, Car, X-Box, etc…

2. Emotional: Security, Trust, Respect, Love, Compassion, etc…

EXAMPLE: $$$ = Ultimate Resource (Although, I argue seek Happiness…) it Allows for an Individual to Acquire Various Resources, which in turn Makes an Individual “Happy.”

V. What’s the BEST Way to Acquire Resources?

1. Individuals Form Societies to Meet Self-Interests.

VI. Civilization: a society that has a high level of culture and social organization

3 Major Foundations of a Civilization: Religion, Economic, Law.

1. Religion: Organized Beliefs which Attempt to Explain “Why.”
2. Economics:  Organized Distribution of Resources to Population.
3. Law: Rules Organized & Enforced by Government to “Influence” Individual Actions and Choices.

CONTEMPLATION: IF RELIGION, ECONOMICS, AND LAW ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF A CIVILIZATION… Where does the ethical/moral Legitimacy for Religion, an Economy, or Lawmaking and Law Enforcement Reside?

VII. Political science is a social science concerned with the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior.

1. It is often described as the study of "who gets what, when, and how".

VIII. Who Has the “Power” to Say if GOD Exists? Who Has the “Power” to Say an Individual Can Purchase a Car or Have to Ride a Bus? Who Has the Power to Establish and Enforce a Law?

A. POWER: The Ability to Move Resources as One Sees Fit.

B. Origin of State Power:

• Force Theory: Strong Rule the Weak.
• Evolutionary Theory: Families Grew into States.
• Divine Right Theory: God Chose Leaders.
• Social Contract Theory: People Trade “Some Freedoms” in Return for

                                                     Security.