Issodhos:
> But in doing so, the individual is not
> expected to become a burden to the group.  In short she carries her own
> weight.  This is the principled norm, but for those who are unable to meet
> this standard, the community assumes the unfulfilled obligations of that
> individual.  It should be considered the exception -- not the norm and
> certainly not a 'right'.

I can't think of a single example in any society where the individual
carries there own weight. In the absence of any examples it then comes down
to where the line is to be drawn - near to the 'you're on your own chum' end
of the scale, in which case 'society' ceases to have any meaning for the
individual so isolated, and the individual ceases to have any meaning to
'society', or near the full-on expression of mutual aid (or, arguably,
beyond that where the individual ceases to exist). So this 'principled norm'
has no basis in reality, and 'exceptions' are just shades of difference
around some generally accepted, or imposed, point. Perhaps you can provide
an example of the individual who carries their own weight... as the 'norm'.

Regards

b