Re: [Marxism] Red-tail hawk sighting

[brownh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Haines Brown)]

> I don't think that Marxism should be seen as a TOE;

"TOE"? Grand economic theory?

> primarily it is an explanation (theory) of capitalism.

Well, yes, that's what Marx seems to have been up to. But arguably
there are good reasons to make the theory of this one economic system
part of a grand unified theory that engages not only the economy, but
everything else. There are several reasons for this, but one is that
this is how science develops, although it is true at the same time
that grand theory can sometimes block intellectual development.

> The question of humanity's relation to the natural environment is a
> much broader question, and will never be wholly answered.

Ouch. Why such pessimism? Why is mankind's relation with the natural
environment such an overwhelming question?

> Mao observed that in a thousand years even Marx & Lenin will look
> silly -- another way of pointing out that Marxism is not a divine
> revelation.

The great thinkers of the past never really look silly. Their
brilliance still excites us. Often we feel they had great insight,
although in too narrow a domain. I can't think of a single example of
a thinker of the past who is generally thought to be both great and
silly. 

-- 
 
       Haines Brown, KB1GRM
         Dialectical Materialist        
         
        

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