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**Wrencytet** · 01-06-2011, 08:49 PM

Social Change

"Social activism", at least where I come from, is an act of agression in the sense that the activist/group seeks to force their views on others. From my readings, I doubt that the Buddha would have been a social activist.

Can any sort of lasting social change occur without a change in individuals? I think not, but I doubt that most social activist groups are concerned with gently changing individuals' perceptions/philosophy.

It isn't that I'm against social change - certainly the society Mao created left much to be desired - but I also think that the dark sides of the idea need to be brought into the open as well.

I'm sure that "Social activism" can be interpreted in a softer sense but that does not eliminate its basic meaning.

01-06-2011, 08:49 PM	#3
Wrencytet Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 457 Senior Member	Social Change "Social activism", at least where I come from, is an act of agression in the sense that the activist/group seeks to force their views on others. From my readings, I doubt that the Buddha would have been a social activist. Can any sort of lasting social change occur without a change in individuals? I think not, but I doubt that most social activist groups are concerned with gently changing individuals' perceptions/philosophy. It isn't that I'm against social change - certainly the society Mao created left much to be desired - but I also think that the dark sides of the idea need to be brought into the open as well. I'm sure that "Social activism" can be interpreted in a softer sense but that does not eliminate its basic meaning.
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