The Significance of Social Science and Philosophy in the Modern World

A. The importance of Laws and Money

According to the Oxford dictionary, “law” is defined as a system of rules that a particular
country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may
enforce by the imposition of penalties. "Money" is any object that is used as a medium of
exchange. These two are considered fundamental aspects of human society and have been the
subject of much philosophical inquiry throughout history. Many philosophers have explored the
nature, purpose, and implications of these concepts, seeking to understand their role in shaping
our individual and collective lives. Laws are important for maintaining justice, order, and social
cohesion within a society. They provide a framework of rules and guidelines that govern
behavior, protect individual rights, and ensure fairness and justice. Without laws, societies would
descend into chaos and anarchy. Money, on the other hand, serves as a medium of exchange,
facilitating trade and commerce. It allows individuals to value and transfer goods and services
without the need for barter, and it also serves as a store of value and a unit of account for
measuring wealth and economic transactions. The significance of laws and money is furthered by
the contributions of various philosophers throughout the history of philosophy. Numerous
philosophers have made significant contributions to our understanding of laws and money.

Here are a few notable examples:

 Plato was the first philosopher to make philosophical assertions about the nature of law.
According to Plato, the law can protect against tyranny. Plato emphasized the importance
of law in his other works, referring to it as an "external authority" that serves as an "ally
of the entire city" in the Republic. He felt that just rules were necessary for a harmonious
and just society and that they should be founded on logic and the pursuit of the common
good.
 Aristotle provided a more systematic form for a lot of the fundamental legal ideas.
People, according to Aristotle, are political animals, meaning that they naturally arrange
themselves into several types of communities, the largest of which is the city. Cities are
characterized by their politeia, which is commonly translated as "constitution" but refers
to any general way in which a large human group can organize itself. According to
Aristotle, law is "a sort of order" that offers a comprehensive framework of norms and
institutions through which society has emerged.
 Cicero was a Roman jurist and philosopher who articulated the first conception of what is
known as "natural law." Although Cicero was a legal practitioner and was familiar with
the Roman state's positive (human-enacted) law, he sought to situate it in relation to what
he considered objective moral truths, which he also referred to as "laws" (thus the habit
of many writers to refer to timeless moral truths as natural law up to the present day).
 St. Thomas Aquinas was the one who expanded the concept of natural law and argued
that laws should be based on our moral and ethical principles. He contributes to our
understanding of the importance of laws and money, as well as how they should be
governed by people who have higher moral standards.
  Thomas Hobbes argued that laws are important to ensure that individuals are prevented
from pursuing their own self-interest at the expense of others. Hobbes advocated a social
compact in which individuals agree to offer up part of their liberty in exchange for
protection from a sovereign.
 John Locke believed that laws exist to protect our natural rights, such as the rights to life,
liberty, and property. According to Locke, the government's primary duty is to protect
these rights and prevent their infringement.
 Adam Smith was the one who considered money a natural outgrowth of trade and market
exchange. Smith believed that money facilitates economic growth and prosperity by
promoting specialization and efficiency.
 Karl Marx was known as the "Father of Communism," and his views on the importance
of laws and money were quite different from those of other philosophers. Marx criticized
money as an exploitation instrument that contributes to worker alienation and inequality;
he said that money enabled capitalists to take surplus value from workers, reinforcing
social class distinctions.

The mentioned philosophers investigated the nature, purpose, and implications of laws
and money. Their contributions still have an impact on how we comprehend these basic ideas
and how important they are to the evolution of human societies today.

B. The Significance of Language and Linguistic Objects in the Society

Language is more than a means of communication. It is the very fabric of human society,
shaping our beliefs, identities, and interactions with others. Linguistic items, such as words,
phrases, and texts, serve as the fabric's building blocks, carrying meaning, history, and cultural
significance. Language and linguistic objects play a crucial role in society, facilitating
communication, connection, and the transmission of knowledge and culture across generations.
They also shape our social identities by influencing our actual perceptions, emotions, and
actions. While representing and meaning-making the reality around us, language can be used to
empower or diminish people as well as communities. It is a set of symbols used to keep social
order and standards in place through encouraging compliance and enforcing social limits. As
demonstrated in democratic movements and revolutions, language may also be used to challenge
the status quo and push for change. Language is also a strong tool for expressing one's creativity,
enabling the production of beauty, the evocation of emotions, and the investigation of human
experience. Linguistic diversity enriches our cultural landscape while also encouraging creativity
and innovation. Oral traditions and indigenous languages, for example, can be utilized to
commemorate and conserve cultural heritage through language. Especially in our increasingly
globalized world, language serves as a bridge between different cultures and communities,
promoting understanding, empathy, and collaboration. Language isn't just about the words
uttered or written; it is also our identity and the lens through which we see and interact with the
world despite our differences.