Greatest apologies for my absence though I have doubts it was even felt by the cyber community. Greater efforts will be made to keep everyone aware of my ramblings.
In PODG, Wilde writes: "The terror of society, which is the basis of morals, the terror of God, which is the secret of religion--these are the two things that govern us." Wilde's observations with this remark are absolutely genius. In attempting to prove him wrong, I have contemplated different forces which drive individuals to make decisions and have found that every choice each person makes is based upon society or religion. The only three exceptions I could imagine are money, power, and love. All can be dismissed with relative ease.
Money is simply a social device that allows people to barter goods or services easily. With more money, you can barter with less hassle. But in itself, money has no influence over decision. It is only the opportunities that money gives people within society that entices someone to base a decision upon finances. Similarly, power is attractive because it allows one to elevate himself above another. It is another tool society uses to influence an individual's decision. Love can be seen through both eyes. Pending on the type of love, it can use social or religious pressures to control man. Christianity's Golden Rule is based upon loving one's neighbor as himself. A romantic love is based upon society's ideals. Men and women learn how to behave in romantic relationships from their environment. (Mind you I am not speaking about sex. If left alone long enough, instincts and curiosity will kick in.) But the daily nuances of a romantic relationship are learned by society: holding hands, caressing, kissing… So in the end, society and God are all that determine one's actions.
