Etzioni defines the old age problem that we are facing as
“an exit from an entrapping dilemma: how to maintain both social order and
personal autonomy in one and the same society…how to construct a society that
protects its members from one another-from civil war to violent crime…” I guess I am not one hundred percent sure
what I make of other theorists who have also made comments about this old age problem,
such as Parsons, Marx, and Freud. My
opinions would align most likely with Freud, who believes that order does not
come without cost in a society. I
believe this and support this completely.
Chaos is what makes life happen, and it is a product of order. Order causes chaos in a way, and I guess one
would ask how is this possible? Harmony
can only last so long in a world that is constantly changing. From harmony comes disequilibrium, hence
order to chaos. Freud also points out
that people in society cannot be fully socialized, meaning they cannot fully be
immersed in society. I could be
interpreting this incorrectly (someone correct me if I am wrong), but I believe
he means that people are not totally honest and they often keep parts of
themselves to themselves, which is selfish.
To me, being totally socialized would mean to not hold back and to tear
down ones walls. However, let us all
think about this…is it even possible not to build invisible walls to protect
ones dignity? Secrets? I may be totally off my rocker on this one, however my
interpretation of his words resonates with me.
I agree with this above Parsons and Marx because it is real to me and it
is something I can actually see in people, myself included. The reason I do not agree with Parsons is
because he takes the “rainbows and butterflies approach”. Optimism is good, however it is not realistic
in the society we live in. One belief that
sticks out to me in the part where he believes in shared values in a
society. Let’s face it, if we al shared
the same values we would not be engaging in wars, arguments, and chaos would be
a rarity. As for Marx, I believe he is
too far left on the subject saying that social order is a false
conception. This is a bold statement
that has not be adequately backed from what I read in the article. I may sound completely out of my mind with my
opinions and outlook, however there you go people. This is how I feel.
