Society's dependence

Society's dependence on collective effort and its challenges are notably discussed by experts like Stephen West and David Eagleman. Philosophize This! highlights society's reliance on individuals to perform their roles for mutual benefit. During crises, such as pandemics, fear drove people to adopt an everyman-for-himself mentality, undermining societal functions because people avoided work to protect their health. This demonstrates the intricate interdependence where each person's participation is crucial for the society's survival and prosperity 1.

David Eagleman, on the Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman, discusses another aspect of societal dependence: drug addiction. He outlines how criminalization of drug abuse has led to a burgeoning prison population without addressing the core issue—addiction rooted in the brain's reward system. Despite massive spending on the war on drugs, addiction persists, suggesting that more effective strategies should focus on reducing demand by understanding and treating the biological basis of addiction 2.