I found myself thinking sociologically when I was sitting in my American History class and the teacher asked something along the lines of, "do you think there needs to be people who suffer in order for the world to be a better place for others?" Herbert Spencer automatically clicked in my head. With his theory in mind, I was interested in hearing what my classmates had to say. All their replies were the same: "I don't think anyone has to suffer." It was the answer I expected. Especially since we were all listening to each other's answers when being called on. I'm not sure that the whole "being watched" concept tripped up any of their answers. It actually seemed to me that they weren't sure of what to say and that they just said what they believed would be most acceptable by our peers. Before that day (Friday Sept 03) I don't think they were ever asked such a question, therefore had not put much thought into such a topic.
My inference was sparked when I volunteered to share my opinion. With all eyes on me I told the class what I thought. I agree with Spencer to some extent. I told them I thought suffering for some individuals was absolutely necessary because that's the way the system works. By not saying much else I was able to study their reactions a bit further. Some scoffed and others stayed quiet, but in the end they all seemed to contemplate my answer for a few moments. I've always thought what I shared with my class that day, but now I have a theory behind it, thanks to Herbert Spencer.
I'm glad you spoke your mind....you've always struck me as a person of conviction :) You also see the Hawthorne effect at work in your US History class because is any average kid really going to publicly say that it's OK for a person to suffer? They might think it, say it to their friends, but not to the larger society as a whole. You put some "meat" to your thoughts, and gave your classmates something to think about--bravo :) As for people needing to suffer, it's not that they NEED to suffer, it's how society is structured (there are always the strong and the weak....weak for whatever reason). To avoid the suffering, you need to change how our society is constructed, which very few (especially the priviledged) are willing to do.
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