Underpinnings of Society

There is another interesting thread on the superiority of countries. I did not want to hijack that thread.

Someone mentioned China and its respect for the elderly. We do not have that in our country. In the Czech Republic when a person gets on the subway, bus or tram younger people will immediately get up and offer their seat if the seats are full. The only exception I have seen to this is if a pregnant woman get on-board, then even the elderly will offer their seats.

All societies have underpinnings built on a philosophy or religion.

For instance China may call itself Communist, but the society is really Confucian. Here are the central tenets of Confucianism:

1. Be a good human being
2. Be benevolent and kind to others
3. Be righteous
4. Be loyal
5. Be courteous with good manners
6. Be forgiving
7.Honor your parents (be filial) and respect your elders
8. Focus on education and life-long learning
9. Do what is right instead of what is advantageous
10. Practice "reciprocity" -- don't do to others what you would not want done to you.
11. Lead by moral and ethical example
12. Manage by virtue and good manenrs
13. Practice self-control and temperance
14. Know that morality is the limitation of self-interest


Obviously some people practices these virtues to a greater extent than others. The same is true of the virtues in our society, some live them to a greater extent than others. There are strengths and weaknesses in every society and in the way the attributes of that society are carried out.

What would you say are the underpinnings of our society?