Human Kind

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RWStanding
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Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:23 pm

Human Kind

Post by RWStanding »

Human Kind
Human Kind, by Rutger Bregman, is a very readable book reinterpreting the evidence for various modern myths of history, and also a work of philosophy promoting the idea that Man is essentially kind and cooperative. Although he does not say so, he might be termed a rational anarchist, promoting grass-roots democracy.
In fact, the entire book is about ethics at various levels. But nowhere does he justify his own assumptions about what is ‘right’ or what combination of values signify virtue. In general terms he would appear to be an altruist. Faced with someone who declares virtue to be obedience to God, or by another person who believes in personal autonomy, he has no stated argument, other than the presumed fact that people are by nature kind and cooperative – as he has it.
The idea that there is a ‘God’ in control of the universe is less favoured today, but for those who do believe it logical and true, there can be no essential basis for ‘kindness’ other than through God’s perceived words – commonly the words of human ancestors.
Arising out of that. Bregman largely sets his ‘kindness’ philosophy against the obvious need for a peaceful and law-abiding society, and against totalitarian and authoritarian society. He has little to say about ‘anarchism’ as personal autonomy, which is popular today. As a result his common sense sets him against outright autonomy, but still perceives society as little more than mass globalised democratic opinion. As with his ‘free’ schools which nonetheless have their supervision and goals.
Autonomy has no moral consensus other than that of equality.
At the extreme, with regards to culture in all aspects that are intrinsically innocuous, race, colour, language, mythology, folklore, environmental natural diversity, etc
Authoritarianism will impose one culture globally.
Individual autonomy will hybridise culture globally
Altruism will preserve cultural diversity
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