Very well explained. I am very much attracted to anarchism, completely against hierarchies of all kinds, and completely in favor of thinking for oneself. One thing I do wonder about is what a fully anarchist society (or world) would look like in practice. Aren't there tasks no one would want to do? Would doing such unpleasant tasks be rewarded mainly by community prestige? Would there be any heavy industry? Buildings? Science? Health care? Prisons? Regulations on pollution, environmental damage? Etc, etc, etc? Does anarchism in effect necessitate a return to a hunter-gatherer lifestyle? I know all this is a bit off topic but I'd love to see a discussion of these practical questions. After all, it's fine to talk about no hierarchies and complete free choice (and I do!), but what would happen then? Or at least, what are some possibilities?
It's worth noting that pre-modern Asian philosophical traditions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, and also Daoism), and some mystical strands of the Abrahamic religions, have developed very sophisticated contemplative approaches to the question of existence (and non-existence) that don't carry the heavy metaphysical baggage that Western culture lugs around (which is typically some version of Cartesian or Aristotelian substance metaphysics).
These traditions do not view "you" as a separate and enduring individual self traipsing through a hostile terrain under the watchful eye of an ever-present god (or government) but as an appearance that brings the universe of appearances into existence. It's rooted in a radical empiricism that's both life-affirming and life-transcending.
Very well explained. I am very much attracted to anarchism, completely against hierarchies of all kinds, and completely in favor of thinking for oneself. One thing I do wonder about is what a fully anarchist society (or world) would look like in practice. Aren't there tasks no one would want to do? Would doing such unpleasant tasks be rewarded mainly by community prestige? Would there be any heavy industry? Buildings? Science? Health care? Prisons? Regulations on pollution, environmental damage? Etc, etc, etc? Does anarchism in effect necessitate a return to a hunter-gatherer lifestyle? I know all this is a bit off topic but I'd love to see a discussion of these practical questions. After all, it's fine to talk about no hierarchies and complete free choice (and I do!), but what would happen then? Or at least, what are some possibilities?
It's worth noting that pre-modern Asian philosophical traditions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, and also Daoism), and some mystical strands of the Abrahamic religions, have developed very sophisticated contemplative approaches to the question of existence (and non-existence) that don't carry the heavy metaphysical baggage that Western culture lugs around (which is typically some version of Cartesian or Aristotelian substance metaphysics).
These traditions do not view "you" as a separate and enduring individual self traipsing through a hostile terrain under the watchful eye of an ever-present god (or government) but as an appearance that brings the universe of appearances into existence. It's rooted in a radical empiricism that's both life-affirming and life-transcending.
Gorgeous!
Loved this one.