Comments on: The Rehabilitation Of Karl Marx.

By: “Reinventing Capitalism” « Transformation by Dialectic

“Reinventing Capitalism” « Transformation by Dialectic — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:28:45 +0000

[...] Jump to Comments I recently responded to one of Paul’s offerings with comments about the need for something beyond capitalism as we know it. I think this article [...]

By: Wayne

Wayne — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:14:10 +0000

Whewee, Paul. Great catalyst. Here’s another 2 cents worth.
Broadly speaking, evolution is a web, a network of 2 primary foci: competition and cooperation. There are no local guarantees, only global tendencies in fits and starts toward greater integration and collective viability. Ever since the evolution of consciousness reached a critical mass in us where we began to have the capacity to consciously participate in our evolution we have drawn lines in shifting social sands – increasingly agreeing to limit our behavior, directing competition into more healthy, progressive channels and increasingly encouraging cooperation among both individuals and social groupings. There have been and are now numerous cutting edge visionaries and many untouched dark backwaters. Capitalism, as we have known it, has played a major role in directing our competition and cooperation in positive and hugely meaningful ways, but I believe its days are numbered and that it will soon be regarded as an old wine skin which will not contain a new consciousness, a new level of holistic cooperation and competition which no longer cuts off its nose to smite its face, nor robs Peter to pay Paul. Our ethics, economics, and politics are in continual flux, and because they are moving they can be steered. We should all take responsibility and participate in that endeavor.

Thanks, Paul!
Cool, thanks, Wayne. I think Capitalism became a major force for evil when we reached the stage where everything that could be owned was owned. Before that it fueled growth and exploration, since that it has done nothing but create violence and slavery.

By: Grace

Grace — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:21:28 +0000

BRAVO!!! I know absolutely nothing about Marx, but I know TRUTH when I see it! My comfort in what you are describing is this….

It may not happen right away, or in the way we ‘think’ it should happen, but in the End – Justice is done.

In this life or the next, in this circumstance or a new one, we all do reap what we sow.

PEACE….Hope Obama makes that his second priority after this ridiculous ‘bailout’ situation is handled.
Creating peace, that is what it is all about, Grace.

By: medicatedlady

medicatedlady — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:28:42 +0000

I wonder, though, if it’s so simple. The movie, The Reader, touches on this. A crime is a crime, but it depends on the definition one gives of “crime.” I’m not saying it’s right, but there are other mechanisms at play here.

BTW, fires are scary, dear Paul.
Well, I think we can agree some basic things are crimes, like bombing children and torture. Fires are scarey.

By: breathenoah

breathenoah — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:56:07 +0000

“There is no defence of ‘I was just following orders’.”

If I may counter, I’d offer a defence.

If a person chosen to carry out an order was chosen because of their susceptibility to “hyperbolic discounting” and the environment within which the order was placed is designed to exploit this susceptibility, then the odds are stacked unreasonably in favour of the person carrying out that order, despite it not being in keeping with any moral code that otherwise would stop them from carrying out the same order. That said, the people responsible for giving the order, and for designing and implementing the environment within which the order is given, are in a far more indefensible position than the person carrying out the order.

Sorry, what I meant to say was that it’s not fair to bully people into doing what you want, and that’s a defence.
I would certainly agree, Noah that the giver of the order and creator of the environment are more culpable. Your scenario reminds me of the poor soldiers being punished right now for the Abu Ghraib (sp) atrocities when clearly they are being scapegoated to protect those further up the food chain. But I think no amount of ‘hyperbolic discounting’ can take away all responsibility for actions which are fundamentally wrong.

By: The Watchmaker and the Timekeeper « Maekitso’s Café

The Watchmaker and the Timekeeper « Maekitso’s Café — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:50:42 +0000

[...] by Paul Squires – “The Rehabilitation of Karl Marx”. Special mention also to William [...]