OUGD501 - Lecture - Society

Key Theorists:

• Raymond Williams - PDF online
• Victor Papanek
• John Stuart Mill
• Jacques Rousseau

 Anarchists - Believe that the government, police, law are all Instruments of repression


First things first manifesto 1964 - The concept of society and what it is for, is it about people using their talents to benefit rich capitalists and companies or is it about humans participating in a mutual aid to develop each other. To give out of generosity, can we use our talents to help our fellow men or are they exploited to serve the benefits of other people. A cry for a fairer, more just and more human society.

Adbusters First things first manifesto 2000 - Paints a picture of a society which isn't about sharing or helping society out, it is about a reductive and aggressive alternative to the 1964 manifesto. It suggests that rather than using our skills as visual communicators for the benefit of society, it says use our skills to benefit the cause of anti capitalism.

Adbusters manipulate designers to feel guilty and become an anti-capitalist


Social Tithe:
If you spend 10% of your time to help out your fellow citizens then you are changing the world by contributing to society.

Political rally, strike organisation, charity work etc...



How do we determine what is socially responsible?

Ethical Theories:

• Subjective Relativism                                                                                                                     - There are no universal moral norms of right and wrong                                                                - All persons decide the right and wrong for themselves

You can't get anywhere with this as it is subjective to an individuals beliefs and morals, a condition of postmodernism and capitalism. 'How it makes you feel' this is the least ethical place to start

• Cultural Relativism                                                                                                                          - The ethical theory that whats right or wrong depends on place and/or time                                 - Based on the beliefs of a society or religion                                                                                  - It claims to have importance based on the narrow views within cultural context ( people who aren't like us are doing the wrong thing)

• Divine Command Theory                                                                                                               - Good actions are aligned with the will of God                                                                             - Bad actions are contrary to the will of God                                                                                   - The holy book helps make the decisions

Christianity with the rights of gay rights, Muslim with the rights of Women

Kantianism (Deontological Ethics)

Immanuel Kant

Peoples wills should be based on moral rights

Therefore its important that our actions are based on appropriate moral rules

To determine when a moral rule is appropriate Kant proposed two Categorical Imperatives

Social contract theory -

Taxes and bills are a set of rules determined by the government which order society. We invest in society and therefore the state should invest in us. Investing in the health of its citizens, its education of its youth etc...