Additional Thoughts: Culture and Religion (Week 3) - Conan Chua

1. "Light as a marker of development"

Using light as a way to determine the development of an area has limitations to a certain degree. I feel that the provision of electricity and in turn light is a fairly basic necessity. Hence, having light at night can indicate a specific level of development that an area has achieved, but further understanding of other factors is required to determine whether that area has achieved any higher level of development.

2. "Genes or Environment, Nature or Nurture?"

I feel that environment plays a more important part. If we were to imagine development as a tree, genes would determine the species, and where the tree grows from. However, the environment determines the way the tree will grow and eventually look like. In a sense, two different species of trees may adopt a similar appearance if they are put in the same environment.

In the presence of Genetic Modification, society may become even more divided than it is now. Before the science of genetic modification is made available to the masses, only the rich and powerful will be able to afford it. They will become stronger, smarter and better equipped to succeed in life than ever before. If not controlled properly, genetic modification will rip society apart.

3. "What holds society together?"

I feel that there are 2 possible reasons society is able to hold itself together.

The first of which is that society, being comprised of many individuals and groups, created a balance that maintains order. Human beings do not like change, and a stable society provides a constant. As a member of this society, you know to a certain extent how your next few days will be if you do what you are meant to do. If you are a student, you study hard, and you aim for a good job. If you are working, you work hard, and you will be able to provide for your family. You know how and when you need to be in school, and you know where to buy groceries if you need them.

The second reason is that society contains preconceived notions of good or bad. Under the pressure of society, people will try to do what is deemed right in order to maintain the aforementioned balance within the society. Disrupting the balance will result in disadvantages for that individual. Society as a whole is able to check itself and correct anything that goes wrong.

4. "Are humans inherently good, and only act in a bad way due to the pressures of society?"

I feel that humans may not be inherently good or bad, but are certainly inherently competitive. If placed in a situation where society provides, humans have a lesser need to compete. For example, many Scandinavian countries have a fairly low level of crime. Many analysts attribute this to a low level of income inequality, which can be mitigated by government measures such as taxes. In this situation.

More information below on income inequality:
https://financesonline.com/how-income-inequality-affects-crime-rates/