Society And its Purpose
Book 3 - Determining the End of Civil Societies
CHAPTER 1
The undetermined, proximate end of society is determined in fact
by the practical reason of the masses, and
by the speculative reason of individuals
291. It is not difficult to understand why the per se undetermined end of civil society is necessarily determined in fact by the behaviour of the members and administrators of society. As long as some good remains undetermined, it can never in practice be the aim of human actions, which always tend to attain determined good. Real good is nothing if not determined. Undetermined good, as we call it, which is only an abstraction, existing in the mind, does not indicate anything real in nature.
292. Applying this observation to civil society, we can distinguish government from those who are governed, and the different ways of acting of both parties. On a more general level we can, if we wish, repeat our distinction between the practical reason of the masses and the speculative reason of individuals.(88) These two agents work together simultaneously to determine in practice the good or complex of good that society tends to attain in fact. This good thus becomes its real, proximate end.
293. Sometimes the practical reason of the masses and the speculative reason of individuals are at one in determining this good or complex of good; sometimes they conflict. In the latter case, the good or complex of good to which in fact civil society tends is the composite effect resulting from the simultaneous action of the two reasons, which together direct and move the social body in different, or even contrary directions.
294. It is clear, therefore, that human good, the contentment of the members, the true good of society, depends upon uprightness and soundness in the practical reason of the masses and on the speculative reason of individuals. Whether they act harmoniously or disharmoniously, these two reasons contemporaneously urge society towards its end. If the masses and individuals are corrupt and seriously mistaken in their evaluation of what is good, society cannot arrive at the end for which it was established. We conclude, therefore, that society’s salvation depends `on the opinions and upright feelings that members have about its good and evil. This is especially true of the more influential individuals in society.’ Moreover, the citizens’ vices are detrimental to public happiness.
Notes
(88) Cf. SC [c. 8 ss.]. — Properly speaking, speculative reason never acts. When we speak of the speculative reason of individuals, therefore, we simply wish to use an abbreviation for the following over-lengthy phrase: the practical reason of individuals which is guided by some speculative teaching.