Best for an Individual is not necessarily best for the society | UPSC Mains Essay Preparation PDF Download

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What is society, if not the people in it? It is not really possible to look at the actions of an individual as being inconsequential to the whole of society. It is just about the extent to which it affects everyone else. While it is true that one is likely to look at their own needs before that of the others, it is nothing but ignorance and even recklessness to believe that one’s actions have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of society.  In other words, while individuals, each with their goals and preferences, make up society, no one’s behaviour is a sole experience. It does, in some or another way, affect someone else.
In this world where everyone is connected somehow, the decisions and the consequent actions of a person will inevitably affect others around, whether it is within an immediate environment or not. Most people tend to indulge in what makes them happy or is really useful to them without really putting much thought into how it could impact others. In such cases, there is the possibility of an individual’s acts negatively affecting society as a whole.

Instances of What Could Benefit an Individual but Not Society

As mentioned above, just because something seems to suit the needs or wishes of an individual, it doesn’t need to be beneficial for society. And here are some instances of that:

• Is it really self-protection?: With so much crime globally, there is a constant need to know how to defend oneself. While many people learn martial arts as self-defence, many choose the path of weapons. Weapons here refer to the firearms that many people purchase to keep themselves from harm’s way. While it does seem to make a little sense, it is a very risky option. With more and more people buying and carrying guns and other firearms, there is an increased possibility of crime. Just because someone owns a gun does not mean that they would shoot someone without reason. However, owning a weapon does give one a sense of dominance and power, and things can go wrong very easily. All that needs to happen for a crime to be committed is a shift in mood. Many instances of mass shootings in the U.S are proof of that. Without assurance and guarantee of what would be done with the weapon, it should not be given to just about anyone.
• Lifestyle choices: People tend to do what suits their needs and desires best, without really thinking about the bigger picture. For example, some people use plastic bags, straws, and other nonbiodegradable items just because they are widely available and much cheaper than environment-friendly options. What they don’t realize is how adversely decisions like these affect the earth and thus the future of all creations on the planet. Plastic dumped in the oceans kills animals, pollutes water bodies and, in general, takes many years to decompose. Other examples of inconsiderate people are leaving the engine running at the traffic junction, purchasing items in bulk and eventually throwing them away, owning multiple vehicles, thus causing traffic congestion and many more.
• Exercising one’s freedom: Living in a democracy comes with many rights, including freedom of speech and action. People are entitled to have their own opinions and beliefs on any issue, but the problem arises when they also feel like they have the right to impose them on others. It is absolutely unfair to dictate other people’s lives or interfere in their decisions because one might be in a position of authority. This eventually leads to unrest and the possibility of resistance, affecting everyone around, directly or indirectly.

How to Avoid any Major Problems

Humans are bound to make mistakes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, which is up for debate. While some go about doing things knowing full well what the consequences are, others don’t. So, once society identifies what the problem is, the next step would be to work together towards eliminating it. Here are some ways to avoid any problems: -

• Spreading awareness: One of the best ways to tackle an issue is to create awareness about it. If a problem like air or water pollution, excessive wastage, violence, etc., are singled out, it is necessary to spread information about it along with how people can, at an individual level, do something to solve it. For example, when talking about minimizing plastic usage, it is necessary to advertise the alternatives, such as paper bags, metal straws, reusable bottles etc. It is also important to provide a means to access these alternatives since many lack knowledge and resources.
• Being self-aware: At an individual level, one must always be self-aware, i.e., be observant about one’s habits and choices. One must know about the consequences of one’s actions. If something seems slightly problematic or harmful, one must immediately make an effort to change that habit. For instance, when it comes to owning weapons for self-defence, either it best to keep them away until needed or to resort to other options that are less likely to hurt others, accidentally or otherwise.
• Being thoughtful: With the way things are today, there is a lot that needs to be changed about the world, its people. It needs to be left in a habitable condition, especially for future generations. In such a case, turning a blind eye to a problem is not desirable. If one is aware of how a certain act could harm others, it is best to avoid it. Just because it is an easier option or is feasible does not mean it alright if it puts others in an unfavourable situation. If no one cares about the other, there is barely anything left in this world to live for, and all of mankind will gradually destroy itself.

If the nation has to progress in a meaningful manner, the country's people need to consider themselves as a part of the entire system and not view themselves as exclusive. By acting beneficially for the entire society and not just for oneself, every citizen can help the country achieve its true potential.