Omelas Issue Paper Example

An action taken has specific consequences. In the case of Omelas, the citizens have options to respond to trends in life in the location. There are three options for the citizens of Omelas. First, the citizens of Omelas can stay in and accept all the social contract in Omelas. The second option, the citizen can wake away from Omelas and avoid the social construct. Finally, string willed citizens could stay in in Omelas and try changing the social construct in Omelas. In the three of the above options, there are reasons for and against either of the moves. However, the purpose of this essay is to analyze the issue staying and accepting the social contract in Omelas.

Issue: The citizens of Omelas have many options to respond to the social construct. Despite the many options, there is one best option that remains for these citizens. The citizens of Omelas should stay and accept a social contract in Omelas.

Claim. Although they say that, the right choice for the citizen of Omelas is either to walk away from the social contract or to stay and change the social contract, nevertheless, the right choice for the citizen of Omelas is to stay and accept the social contract because of the following reasons.

Premise 1: The right choice for the citizens of Omelas is to stay and accept the social contract because of moral freedom. In most instances, societal matters are not changeable. The majority in the society determines the code of conduct and one person has no right to object the feelings of the majority. In the case of Omelas, the social contracts in the society are there to stay, and that majority of the people uphold the social commitment. However, the moral freedom restricts the people from doing what they want. The moral freedom, in this case, holds that the citizens of Omelas have to remain and work hard to do what is right. In Omelas, nature dictates the social contact, and the people have no power to ignore and fulfill their wishes. In this case, the citizens need to recognize God in their deeds, uphold purity and the holiness of God in their deeds. Staying and accepting the social contract in the Omelas implies the willingness to accept the truth and supporting it without deviations. The societal belief defines the social contract in Omelas. In life, it is important to know that choices are unavoidable. Choosing to accept the social agreement in the Omelas should never limit the inner freedom that all individuals possess. The society has powers, and thus the citizens need to obey the authorities in pursuits of the peace. It is easier to choose life without the physical stress when an individual adopts a positive attitude and accept the norms of the society. Some powers in the community can rob an individual of self when one does not agree. In this case, in pursuit of spiritual freedom, overcoming irritability suppressed and achieved independence of mind, it is prudent to accept the social contract.

Premise 2: The right choice for the citizens of Omelas is to stay and accept social contract because of free will. Free will, in this case, is the ability of the citizens to observe their responsibility. The citizens of Omelas grew up in the cultures and norms of the society. They know the demands of the community, and they have the moral authority to choose between the different courses of actions. The citizens have to take responsibility to utilize the provisions of the free will. Often, in every society, there are actions that citizens have the freedom to choose. However, failure to select the right actions, the citizens will suffer the guilt and the judgments in the society. Choosing to stay in the society and accepting the norms makes life easier because the majority of the citizens understand the codes of conduct in the society and therefore living freely is easier. Alternatively, leaving the society for a new location could be more challenging because each community has unique norms. In this case, entering a new area involves meeting new norms that will take time for one to understand. Also, remaining in the society and resisting the social contact is a hard task. Individuals cannot define the norms of the society. Besides, the resisting the norms in the society attracts judgments, sins, and guilt. To resolve the conflict that comes with opposing social contact, it is paramount remain and accepts.

Premise 3: The right choice for the citizens of Omelas is to stay and accept the social contract because of conscience. Traditionally, the human conscience accuses when things are not done right. The wishes of the majority are supreme and that an individual is free in the conscience if they do what everyone feels it is the right action. Observing the norms of the society makes an individual avoid the judgments. Besides, the remaining in the community and partaking in the cultures makes an individual develops a spirit of belonging. Exiting the society for a new place or resisting the norms of the society makes the people feel guilty and sinful. For this reason, it is the best choice for the citizens of Omelas to remain and accept the norms. Additionally, life is peaceful when, individual chooses, and activities that make the conscience-free with less guilt. However, weighing the three options staying and accepting the social contract, resisting the social contract and leaving the society, it is the best move to remain and take.

Premise 4: The right to choose for the citizens of Omelas is to stay and accept the social contract because of inalienable rights. The societal laws are inviolable, and therefore the citizens have one best option to remain and accept the laws. For example, some of the rights do not depend on the customs in the society. The individuals born in a particular society grow up knowing the laws and therefore the need to observe the natural rights. It is possible for one to remain guilty and sinful for the things that an individual knows but resist practicing. The human laws can restrain the universal laws. For this reasons, it is essential that the citizens of Omelas remain and accept the laws because the human laws can never control them.