Lived Choice and the Open Society

Abstract

Among the various types of lived choice, the one that is associated with an open society (Bergson) is of crucial importance from the sociological perspective. This study examines this type of lived choice-open-society-related lived choice. According to Bergson, an open society is not a society that comprises particular members, but a society that is open to all people. The main question addressed here is as follows : How is lived choice informed by this type of society? How does open-society-related lived choice affect choice as an act?
Open-society-related lived choice is significant because of its effect on choice as an act, and it goes without saying that choice as an act is itself an important focus of sociological investigation. It is possible that a person who can access an open-society-related lived choice may decide to act in ways beyond our rational understanding. For example, a woman who believed in Jesus or has made a lived choice for Jesus poured expensive oil on his head. Her act was criticized as a waste by those present, which showed that it was beyond their understanding.
The discussion is developed as follows. First, the author defines an open society in detail by focusing on its dynamic quality. Second, the relationship between lived choice and the open society are discussed. Third, the dynamic decision-making process is examined with reference to the relationship between open-society-related lived choice and choice as an act. Finally, the concept of communitas (Turner) is scrutinized in order to clarify the methodological significance of this study.