Final answer:
People join Greek-Lettered organizations for social solidarity; they foster connections based on shared values and goals leading to civic engagement. Larger group sizes, however, can risk less cohesion and interaction. These organizations resemble ancient Greek schools in providing collaborative environments for personal growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
When people join Greek-Lettered organizations for the opportunity to develop close ties with like-minded individuals, this is commonly known as social solidarity. This concept entails the social ties that bind a group of people together such as kinship, shared location, and religion. Greek-Lettered organizations, which include fraternities and sororities, are just one example of how individuals form connections through shared values, traditions, and goals, thereby pursuing shared interests and attaining certain intangible rewards that are social rather than material in nature.
These connections can lead to a higher degree of civic engagement, as discussed by Robert Putnam in his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community. Although he notes a decline in small group memberships and increased participation in large, impersonal groups, the foundations of Greek organizations often counteract this by fostering personal and collaborative relationships. Furthermore, just as the ancient Greek schools like Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum provided environments for individuals to collectively pursue knowledge and wisdom, modern Greek-Lettered organizations offer a contemporary space for collaboration and personal growth.
These organizations may also provide a platform for political engagement and community service, aligning members towards common goals. However, as organizations grow, there may be increased risks for division and a lack of cohesion, as Putnam elaborates regarding larger impersonal groups where members have less interaction with one another.