The Social Convention and Erewhon by Samuel Butler There are many conceivable explanations that have the potential to rationalize the preservation of society through time. These explanations clarify the fact that the company, since its creation, has continued to exist. I assert that the precise reason for this self-perpetuation is convention and, moreover, that convention encompasses all other possible explanations of this continuation. Yet this conclusion simply follows from appropriate terminological distinctions. True depth comes from examining conventions in relation to the individuals who follow them. I find that many people are not aware that society is based on conventions. As a result, these individuals often have twisted ideas about reality. The conclusions in this area parallel the arguments made by Samuel Butler in his novel Erewhon. that their professed religion was more than superficial; but that they had another which they carried with them in all their actions; and although no one from the outside would suspect that it existed, it was in reality their great guide, the sailor. compass of their life; so that there were very few things which they did, or abstained from doing, without reference to his precepts. " -Samuel Butler, Erewhon Convention allows members of society to communicate. Without convention, communication between individuals would... middle of paper ...... of course, the society of 1984 is fictional and seems less a possible reality now that the large societies on which the novel was based no longer exist. However, this possibility still exists. Essentially, the role of conventions in society is to ensure the existence of society. convention also allows societies to control the advent of innovations that attempt to change society Furthermore, individual ignorance of a society's conventional dependence can foster a skewed sense of reality. the rigidity of conventions can be detrimental to a given society, or worse yet, simply detrimental to individual freedom and creativity while ensuring the ultimate self-perpetuation of society. Work cited Butler, Samuel. Erewhon. New York: Penguin, 1970.