re-evolution

[MLuftmensch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Michael Luftmensch)]

RE-EVOLUTION

In reply to Lisa's questions.

"What do you mean by 'teleological humanism', and how is it distinct
from regular or Gouldian humanism?"

MARX

I used the term "teleological humanism" to describe Marx's notion of an
unfolding destiny of humanity, whereby Communism "is the definitive
resolution of the antagonism between man and nature, and between man and man.
It is the true solution of the conflict between existence and essence,
between objectification and self-affirmation, between freedom and necessity,
between individual and species. It is the solution of the riddle of history
and knows itself to be this solution" (from the Third Manuscript: Private
Property and Communism).

Although the above quotation is from Marx's early writings, it seems to me
that he did not abandon these sentiments. Otherwise, what are we to make of
his remarks about the British in India in 1853: "England, it is true, in
causing a social revolution in Hindustan was actuated only by the vilest
interests, and was stupid in her manner of enforcing them. But that is not
the question. The question is, can mankind fulfill its destiny without a
fundamental revolution in the social state of Asia? If not, whatever may have
been the crimes of England, she was the unconscious tool of history in
bringing about that revolution."

GOULD

Gould is very obviously a humanist in the Enlightenment sense of rejecting
supernaturalism and asserting the dignity and worth of human beings and their
capacity to achieve self-realization through the use of reason and scientific
method.

His book, The Mismeasure of Man, which is about scientific racism, and his
many articles debunking racism and sexism in science attest to this, as does
his willingness to take an active role against the teaching of Creationism in
US schools.


MARVIN HARRIS

"You seem to connect/combine Harris' 'determinism' with
'materialism', tell me more?"

The connection/combination is not mine but that of Harris himself.
Reproductive pressure, intensification of production and environmental
depletion are, for him, the basis for deciphering human culture. Taking heed
of Heisenberg's indeterminacy principle, he posits a deterministic
relationship among cultural phenomena, explaining determinism in terms of
similar variables under similar circumstances giving rise to similar
consequences.


TWO PLANETS

"What exactly do you mean by 'determinism' in relation to the 'two
planets' story, and is it the only way to understand parallels in
social evolution?"

More or less an illustration of the above - similar variables under similar
circumstances giving rise to similar consequences.

I don't know if this is the only way to understand parallels in social
evolution. I suspect that it isn't, but the only other explanation I've read,
as noted in the previous post, is that of Lewis Mumford, who relies on a kind
of genetic idealism. I didn't find it very convincing.

EVOLUTION AND DETERMINISM

"You seem to see evolution and determinism as opposed to each other,
but the social parallels noted by Harris remind me of the many cases
of convergent evolution in form and structure of life forms, meaning
that earlier different forms sometimes come to resemble each other."

Gould's presentation of evolution stresses contingency. It might all have
been very, very different. No law of nature can explain why certain species
survived bouts of decimation while others became extinct. Nor can
calculations of probabilities or general rules of anatomy or ecology.

In other words, similar variables under similar circumstances need not give
rise to similar consequences.

I look forward to hearing from you,
luftmensch



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