The [WHATS] of society?
March 5, 2010 9:07 AM
Is there an opposite expression for "the ills of society"?
I'm looking for the opposite of the expression "the ills of society." There are plenty of instances of thihis expression in common usage, but I want a similar phrase that expresses the opposite; that is, how does one say the [bad things] about society but also the [good things].
I'm looking for the opposite of the expression "the ills of society." There are plenty of instances of thihis expression in common usage, but I want a similar phrase that expresses the opposite; that is, how does one say the [bad things] about society but also the [good things].
brotherhood of man? little on the chauvinistic side but it kinda gets at what you are saying I think.
posted by ian1977 at 9:09 AM on March 5, 2010
posted by ian1977 at 9:09 AM on March 5, 2010
The boon of/to civilization?
posted by Cold Lurkey at 9:12 AM on March 5, 2010
posted by Cold Lurkey at 9:12 AM on March 5, 2010
Thought of benefits, was looking for maybe something stronger. dfriedman, you are understanding the question correctly-- I'm asking this for a friend and we can't seem to find anything better. Thought we would question the hive mind.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:12 AM on March 5, 2010
posted by exlotuseater at 9:12 AM on March 5, 2010
I'm not sure there's a correct answer to this question, but how about "the virtues of society", "the triumphs of society", or "the victories of progress"?
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:14 AM on March 5, 2010
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:14 AM on March 5, 2010
"Dylan" and I thank you-- "boon" seems to fit what we were looking for, but I (we) are looking forward to what else y'all might come up with.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:15 AM on March 5, 2010
posted by exlotuseater at 9:15 AM on March 5, 2010
Unfortunately I don't think the word you want exists.
"Ill" in this case is short-hand for "illness" or "disease." The phrase usually talks about "the ills of society" and its "cures" or "the panacea for the ills of society." And there's not really an antonym to "disease" that I can think of.
"Ill" is also used to mean "bad," "badly," or "unwell." For example: Elizabeth Bennett plays the piano very ill, ie, very badly. Or "ill-informed" = "badly-informed." Or "ill" as an adjective to mean "unwell," ie, "sick." With this meaning, the only antonym would be "the goods of society," which sounds silly.
posted by thebazilist at 9:22 AM on March 5, 2010
"Ill" in this case is short-hand for "illness" or "disease." The phrase usually talks about "the ills of society" and its "cures" or "the panacea for the ills of society." And there's not really an antonym to "disease" that I can think of.
"Ill" is also used to mean "bad," "badly," or "unwell." For example: Elizabeth Bennett plays the piano very ill, ie, very badly. Or "ill-informed" = "badly-informed." Or "ill" as an adjective to mean "unwell," ie, "sick." With this meaning, the only antonym would be "the goods of society," which sounds silly.
posted by thebazilist at 9:22 AM on March 5, 2010
The fruits of collective action?
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:23 AM on March 5, 2010
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:23 AM on March 5, 2010
There are many such words. Which one you choose depends on tone, ideology, and emphasis.
Benefits.
Virtues.
Goodness.
Justice.
Order.
Comfort.
Flourishing.
Growth.
Advances.
Progress.
Civilization.
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:31 AM on March 5, 2010
Benefits.
Virtues.
Goodness.
Justice.
Order.
Comfort.
Flourishing.
Growth.
Advances.
Progress.
Civilization.
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:31 AM on March 5, 2010
The ideal word would be something that relates to ills (like a word meaning good health), but I can't think of something like that that would fit.
How about:
delights
coups
glories
successes
advances
rewards
blessings
privileges
wonders
advantages
Or you could replace "ills":
Society's blights and blessings
Society's pitfalls and rewards
Society's drawbacks and delights
Society's vices and virtues
Society's failures and successes
etc.
posted by sallybrown at 9:35 AM on March 5, 2010
How about:
delights
coups
glories
successes
advances
rewards
blessings
privileges
wonders
advantages
Or you could replace "ills":
Society's blights and blessings
Society's pitfalls and rewards
Society's drawbacks and delights
Society's vices and virtues
Society's failures and successes
etc.
posted by sallybrown at 9:35 AM on March 5, 2010
Not quite exactly right but conveys the sense of what you're looking for, I think:
summum bonum
posted by bluejayway at 11:18 AM on March 5, 2010
summum bonum
posted by bluejayway at 11:18 AM on March 5, 2010
March of progress?
posted by hollyanderbody at 12:21 PM on March 5, 2010
posted by hollyanderbody at 12:21 PM on March 5, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
The good things of society would be its benefits: the benefits of society.
Or perhaps I'm not understanding the question.
posted by dfriedman at 9:09 AM on March 5, 2010