Parker BermanJon WellerNewsFebruary 13, 2014The “norms” of societyThe thinking of today's society can be truly perplexing. There is a strict set of rules that everyone must follow, as well as an authority that people look up to. Depending on society, rules can dictate people's morality. However, there are differences based on which society becomes the norm. What is considered legal and civilized in one country may seem morally wrong in another. A country's wealth, education and progress through natural resources, etc. influenced the development of its population and society. Third world countries, for example, lack the education and money to meet some of the most basic needs. This breeds corruption, and the need for survival trumps any law that an average American would consider morally right. Is this where the wild man's instinct for self-preservation takes over? According to Rousseau, without compassion, there is no balance in society. Over time, the rules have been bent a lot. For centuries, black people existed in the eyes of a white American for the sole purpose of slavery. The fact that generations of people were born into a lifestyle involving slaves meant that these people knew no other way of life. Slavery became part of everyday life because society as a whole accepted it for a long time. Nearly two centuries were spent trying to change society's perception of black people. Once the majority of people agree that an idea is good, it is almost impossible to change it. Society seems to have improved over time, but has not yet reached the point of perfection in which everyone is happy. The truth is that not everyone will always be happy... middle of paper ...... everyone is affected by the laws and lifestyles they follow. Many dislike the idea of ​​change and reject any new idea that might alter the norms of their society. Civil rights, same-sex relationships, and religious beliefs are three great examples of how society has evolved over time. Rousseau contradicted himself by saying that religion keeps the peace, but the bloodiest battles in history have been over religious beliefs. Change will adapt one way or another, even if the morality of the people is oriented in two different directions. Time, politics and war will depict the present and future of society as a whole. Work cited “discourse on inequalities”. SparkNotes. SparkNotes and Web. January 30, 2014.Volmer, Mary. Crown of dust. New York: Soho Press, 2010. Print.