Thursday, September 22, 2011

What according to history, makes societies change their beliefs?

Looking back, for instance, what ended the persecution of witches? Or what has decreased racism or uplifted how women are seen?

It took a decades after the research for society to switch from the 1930's view that smoking was harmless, to the current belief that it's bad for us.

The immediate thought is that information and education do it, but I wonder if social psychology and history show other themes around how there are shifts in mass beliefs.Can you shed light on this please? ThanksWhat according to history, makes societies change their beliefs?Significant change in societal values has always come about as the result of expanded knowledge and intense activism of some sort regardless of its foundations.

Prohibition was the result of widespread alcoholism and religious activism for prohibition.

The repeal of Prohibition was the result of increased crime and violence, plus activism to halt those events and increase tax revenues to help fight the Great Depression.

This has been true of health issues, social issues, economic issues and moral issues.What according to history, makes societies change their beliefs?Well this is a complex question but the short answer is - yes, a greater amount of better information combined with more well educated masses is one of the number one causes of social change. That notwithstanding, revolutions - political, religious, social, industrial and others are an equal if not greater cause.



For example, changes in belief over race and sex in the United States has been mostly a product of people (of all races and sexes) standing up and saying enough is enough.
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