Humans and Conceptions
Belief Systems, Random Thoughts October 12th, 2008I was just talking with my best friend around all the concepts that we create and abide by. I found it interesting to hear his thoughts on the subject and it got me thinking a little about all of societies implications.
Time - who invented time? It is true that humans have chemicals which tell us day from night and also build rhythms of sleep etc, and there is also the cyclic nature of the sun and seasons which could be said to dictate humans’ lives, but why do we have “hours”, “minutes”,”seconds”,”days”etc… Why is there so much emphasis on time and measuring something that actually doesn’t really exist? Everything is attached to time - it is so weighted, yet it is non-existent!
Monogamy - another completely socially constructed concept that we put so much importance on. I understand that people get jealous but if we were all geared to love everyone and weren’t geared towards one love and ’soul-mates’ then maybe it wouldn’t bother us to see our lover kiss another person? Especially if we knew we would be kissing someone else later too..
Nationality - this is another discourse by which humans in many societies are thriving on. We box people by so many definitions, nationality is one that really fascinates me. It is true that environmental factors lead to people of different nationalities harbouring different dispositions and personality traits. But I cannot be easily defined by any aspect that makes me who I am - I can only be defined by ALL at once. Another thing is that just because a person is born of any certain land, does not mean they are affected by the same things that other people from the same land are.
Society - last but certainly not least is society. Completely created by humans. Possibly due to our ’social’ nature? We communicate in different and possibly more developed ways. This construct could mean that literally everything we learn through observation and normative discourse is constructed by other peoples opinion and belief.
When you really think about it, there is not much truth surrounding us except our perception of nature and things that are not affected by humans. In saying that, even our perception of nature is warped so really truth can only be in our mind.
November 25th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Hey, i just came across this page and just wanted to say i think the discussion is really interesting here. i am also fascinated by the “ideas” of society and nationality being social constructs. I also think the idea of monogamy is a social construct but it is inherent in human nature, not to be jealous but to be possessive. The idea of shes mine or he is mine is irrational but all too uncontrollable as part of human nature. This is kind of similar Even to things like nationality going back to when nations were formed - that is based on truely irrational thought ie who has the right to claim land as theirs and exclude its use to others - just coz u stick a flag on it. That person did not CREATE that land, nor where they most likely first to Cultivate it. i wish there were more posts on this website. *sigh*
January 1st, 2009 at 4:34 am
Wow thanks Megan!!! You have encouraged me to get back into writing!
How did you come across the website?
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