【Public and Ethics】 The Door to Public Life: Living in Society

Hello everyone! Welcome to your study of "Public Affairs." You might think the term "public" sounds a bit difficult, but it’s actually a part of our everyday lives. In this chapter, "The Door to Public Life," we will explore how we become independent and live while interacting with others in society. This section is packed with fundamental knowledge that frequently appears on the Common Test, so let's learn together and have some fun!
It might feel a little challenging at first, but don't worry. We'll take it one step at a time!

1. Understanding the Characteristics of Modern Society

The society we live in today is significantly different from the past. Let's start by grasping three key terms that define modern society.

① Informatization

Due to the widespread use of the internet and smartphones, we can now access information anytime and anywhere. This is known as an information society.
Example: Connecting with people around the world on social media, studying on YouTube, etc.

② Globalization

The free flow of people, goods, money, and information across national borders is called globalization.
Example: Seeing foreign products on convenience store shelves, foreign anime becoming popular worldwide, etc.

③ Declining Birthrate and Aging Population

This refers to the phenomenon where the number of births decreases (declining birthrate) and the proportion of elderly people increases (aging population). This is a major challenge for Japan.

【Key Point】
These changes have made our lives more convenient, but they have also created new problems, such as "fake news" and the "widening gap of inequality."

2. Adolescence: A Crucial Time for Self-Discovery

As high school students, you are in the phase of adolescence (puberty), where you transition from childhood to adulthood. This is a time of "a journey of self-discovery," where your mind and body undergo significant changes.

● The Second Birth

French philosopher Rousseau, in his book Emile, referred to adolescence as a "second birth." He famously stated, "We are born twice: once to exist, and a second time to live."

● Psychological Weaning

The process of trying to become emotionally independent from parents or guardians is called psychological weaning. Your "rebellious phase" is actually just an expression of your energy trying to become independent.

● Moratorium

Psychologist Erik Erikson referred to adolescence as a moratorium—a period where social responsibilities are deferred, allowing for preparation to become an adult.
During this period, it is considered important to establish your identity (sense of self), asking yourself, "Who am I?"

【Common Misconception】
People often mistake "moratorium" for "just wasting time idling," but it originally means an "important preparatory period for discovering your role as an adult!"

【Trivia: Havighurst’s Developmental Tasks】
A scholar named Havighurst identified "developmental tasks" that should be achieved during adolescence, such as "interacting with peers" and "choosing a career." It’s interesting to think about how these apply to your current life.

3. Humans as Social Beings

Humans cannot live alone. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle famously said, "Man is a political (social) animal." This means that we only become truly human by interacting with others within society.

● What is "Publicness"?

"Public" refers to matters that concern everyone (public) rather than just yourself (private). Society is full of people with different values than your own. To get along well in this environment, you need the perspective of "publicness."

【Memory Tip】
Your own room is a "private space" (You can wear whatever you want!).
A classroom at school or a public park is a "public space" (Rules are needed so everyone can enjoy them comfortably!).

4. Decision Making and Consensus Building

When making decisions as a group, it's natural for opinions to be divided. How should we resolve this?

① Efficiency and Fairness

Two essential criteria for discussion are efficiency and fairness.
・Efficiency: Solving problems quickly without waste.
・Fairness: Having rules that are equal and equitable so that everyone can be satisfied.

② The Principle of Majority Rule

This is a method of adopting the opinion supported by the majority. While it allows for quick decisions, we must not forget the "respect for minority opinions." We must be careful not to let the majority become tyrannical.

③ Consensus Building

This is a process of finding a compromise that everyone can accept through dialogue. It takes time, but it increases the sense of satisfaction among all members.

【Key Point: Two Perspectives on Fairness】
1. Procedural Fairness: Are the rules or the order of decision-making equal for everyone?
2. Distributive Fairness: Is the final allocation of benefits or burdens equitable?

5. Conclusion: To You, Who Are Opening the Door to Public Life

Here is a summary of this chapter!

  • Modern society is defined by informatization, globalization, and a declining birthrate with an aging population.
  • Adolescence is a vital moratorium for establishing your identity.
  • Humans are social beings who need to interact with others.
  • When deciding the rules of society, balancing efficiency and fairness is essential.

Studying Public Affairs and Ethics is also a practice in thinking about "questions that do not have a single right answer." Hold onto your own ideas while listening to the opinions of others. Let’s cultivate that attitude through this subject!
In the next step, we will learn about more specific social rules (law and politics). Great work today!