| Society cannot substitute for actual men and women acting as father's, mother's, teacher's, policemen, and so forth. Personal character is always going to be important in the maintenance of social order and improvement. At the same time, people are, in fact, called upon to contribute to society, through their professional accomplishments, volunteerism, and, if it suits them, particular vocations in public service. "Social values" are just an extension of what we would like to accomplish, or see accomplished on our behalf, by effecticve governance or philanthropic organizations. In a certain way, ultimately what we are trying to do is to construct a society which will promote the formation of character and help to equip people to cope with the demands of a modern society, for example, by improving education or promoting job training. Is this the sort of thing you have in mind, or am I off point? |
