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A '''society''' is a [[group (sociology)|grouping]] of [[individual]]s, which is characterized by common interests and may have distinctive [[culture]] and [[institutions]]. In a society, members can be from a different [[ethnic group]]. A "Society" may refer to a particular people, such as the [[Nuer]], to a [[nation state]], such as [[Switzerland]], or to a broader cultural group, such as a [[Western society]]. Society can also refer to an organized group of people associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.

A '''society''' is a [[group (sociology)|grouping]] of [[individual]]s, which is characterized by common interests and may have distinctive [[culture]] and [[institutions]]. In a society, members can be from a different [[ethnic group]]. A "Society" may refer to a particular people, such as the [[Nuer]], to a [[nation state]], such as [[Switzerland]], or to a broader cultural group, such as a [[Western society]]. Society can also refer to an organized group of people associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.

The English word "society" emerged in the [[15th century]] and is derived from the French ''société''. The French word, in turn, had its origin in the [[Latin]] ''societas'', a "friendly association with others," from ''socius'' meaning "companion, associate, comrade or business partner." The Latin word was derived from the Greek socus locus, and implied a social contract between members of the community. Implicit in the meaning of society is that its members share some mutual concern or interest, a common objective or common characteristics

The English word "society" emerged in the [[15th century]] and is derived from the French ''société''. The French word, in turn, had its origin in the [[Latin]] ''societas'', a "friendly association with others," from ''socius'' meaning "companion, associate, comrade or business partner." The Latin word was derived from the Greek socus locus, and implied a social contract between members of the community. Implicit in the meaning of society is that its members share some mutual concern or interest, a common objective or common characteristics

 

In political science, the term is often used to mean the totality of human relationships, generally in contrast to ''[[state|the State]]'', i.e., the apparatus of rule or government within a territory:

In political science, the term is often used to mean the totality of human relationships, generally in contrast to ''[[state|the State]]'', i.e., the apparatus of rule or government within a territory:

"I mean by it [the State] that summation of privileges and dominating positions which are brought into being by extra-economic power... I mean by Society, the totality of concepts of all purely natural relations and institutions between man and man..."[http://www.opp.uni-wuppertal.de/oppenheimer/st/state0.htm] Franz Oppenheimer, ''The State.''

"I mean by it [the State] that summation of privileges and dominating positions which are brought into being by extra-economic power... I mean by Society, the totality of concepts of all purely natural relations and institutions between man and man..."[https://www.opp.uni-wuppertal.de/oppenheimer/st/state0.htm] Franz Oppenheimer, ''The State.''

In the [[social sciences]] such as [[sociology]], ''society'' has been used {{Fact|date=February 2007}}to mean a group of people that form a semi-closed [[social system]], in which most interactions are with other individuals belonging to the group.  

In the [[social sciences]] such as [[sociology]], ''society'' has been used {{Fact|date=February 2007}}to mean a group of people that form a semi-closed [[social system]], in which most interactions are with other individuals belonging to the group.  

== Evolution of societies ==<!-- This section is linked from [[Society]] -->

== Evolution of societies ==<!-- This section is linked from [[Society]] -->

According to anthropologist [[Maurice Godelier]], a critical novelty in human society, compared humans closest biological relatives ([[chimpanzees]] and [[bonobos]]), is the parental role assumed by the males, which were unaware of their "father" connection.[[Maurice Godelier]], Métamorphoses de la parenté, 2004 [http://newleftreview.org/?view=2592] New Left Review - Jack Goody: The Labyrinth of Kinship

According to anthropologist [[Maurice Godelier]], a critical novelty in human society, compared humans closest biological relatives ([[chimpanzees]] and [[bonobos]]), is the parental role assumed by the males, which were unaware of their "father" connection.[[Maurice Godelier]], Métamorphoses de la parenté, 2004 [https://newleftreview.org/?view=2592] New Left Review - Jack Goody: The Labyrinth of Kinship

[[Gerhard Lenski]], a [[sociologist]], differentiates societies based on their level of technology, communication and economy: (1) hunters and gatherers, (2) simple agricultural, (3) advanced agricultural, (4) industrial.<ref>Lenski, G. 1974. ''Human Societies: An Introduction to Macrosociology.''</ref> This is somewhat similar to the system earlier developed by [[anthropologists]] [[Morton H. Fried]], a conflict theorist, and [[Elman Service]], an integration theorist, who have produced a system of classification for societies in all human cultures based on the evolution of [[social inequality]] and the role of the [[state]]. This system of classification contains four categories:

[[Gerhard Lenski]], a [[sociologist]], differentiates societies based on their level of technology, communication and economy: (1) hunters and gatherers, (2) simple agricultural, (3) advanced agricultural, (4) industrial.<ref>Lenski, G. 1974. ''Human Societies: An Introduction to Macrosociology.''</ref> This is somewhat similar to the system earlier developed by [[anthropologists]] [[Morton H. Fried]], a conflict theorist, and [[Elman Service]], an integration theorist, who have produced a system of classification for societies in all human cultures based on the evolution of [[social inequality]] and the role of the [[state]]. This system of classification contains four categories:

* [[All humanity|Humanity]], mankind, that upon which rest all the elements of society, including society's beliefs.

* [[All humanity|Humanity]], mankind, that upon which rest all the elements of society, including society's beliefs.

Over time, some [[cultures]] have progressed toward more-complex forms of [[organization]] and control. This [[cultural evolution]] has a profound effect on patterns of community. Hunter-gatherer tribes settled around seasonal foodstocks to become [[Neolithic Revolution|agrarian village]]s. Villages grew to become towns and cities. Cities turned into [[city-state]]s and [[nation-state]]s. [http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/anthro2003/glues/model_complex.html] The Cultural Evolution of Civilizations].

Over time, some [[cultures]] have progressed toward more-complex forms of [[organization]] and control. This [[cultural evolution]] has a profound effect on patterns of community. Hunter-gatherer tribes settled around seasonal foodstocks to become [[Neolithic Revolution|agrarian village]]s. Villages grew to become towns and cities. Cities turned into [[city-state]]s and [[nation-state]]s. [https://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/anthro2003/glues/model_complex.html] The Cultural Evolution of Civilizations].

Today, anthropologists and many social scientists vigorously oppose the notion of cultural evolution and rigid "stages" such as these. In fact, much anthropological data has suggested that complexity (civilization, population growth and density, specialization, etc.) does not always take the form of hierarchical social organization or stratification.

Today, anthropologists and many social scientists vigorously oppose the notion of cultural evolution and rigid "stages" such as these. In fact, much anthropological data has suggested that complexity (civilization, population growth and density, specialization, etc.) does not always take the form of hierarchical social organization or stratification.

== References ==

== References ==

* [http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/society Definition of Society] from the [[Oxford English Dictionary|OED]].

* [https://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/society Definition of Society] from the [[Oxford English Dictionary|OED]].

* [http://core.ecu.edu/soci/juskaa/SOCI2110/Lectures/Lect1 Lecture notes on "Defining Society"] from East Carolina University.

* [https://core.ecu.edu/soci/juskaa/SOCI2110/Lectures/Lect1 Lecture notes on "Defining Society"] from East Carolina University.

* [http://www.wsu.edu:8001/vcwsu/commons/topics/culture/glossary/society.html] Learning Commons - What is Culture ? - Glossary Item - Society]

* [https://www.wsu.edu:8001/vcwsu/commons/topics/culture/glossary/society.html] Learning Commons - What is Culture ?  

* Effland, R. 1998. [http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/anthro2003/glues/model_complex.html] The Cultural Evolution of Civilizations] Mesa Community College.

* Effland, R. 1998. [https://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/anthro2003/glues/model_complex.html] The Cultural Evolution of Civilizations] Mesa Community College.

* Jenkins, R. 2002. ''Foundations of Sociology.'' London: Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 0-333-96050-5.

* Jenkins, R. 2002. ''Foundations of Sociology.'' London: Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 0-333-96050-5.

* Lenski, G. 1974. ''Human Societies: An Introduction to Macrosociology.'' New York: McGraw- Hill, Inc.

* Lenski, G. 1974. ''Human Societies: An Introduction to Macrosociology.'' New York: McGraw- Hill, Inc.

== External Link  ==

== External Link  ==

*[http://www.bioeticaunbosque.edu.co/ Bioethics and society]

*[https://www.bioeticaunbosque.edu.co/ Bioethics and society]

*[http://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/article/280/ How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive]

*[https://www.null-hypothesis.co.uk/article/280/ How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]