“We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.”
Why Socialism?
By Albert Einstein
From Monthly Review, New York, May, 1949.
[Re-printed in Ideas and Opinions by Albert Einstein]
Transcribed by Lenny Gray
Is it advisable for one who is not an expert on economic and social issues to express views on the subject of socialism? I believe for a number of reasons that it is.
Let us first consider the question from the point of view of scientific knowledge. It might appear that there are no essential methodological differences between astronomy and economics: scientists in both fields attempt to discover laws of general acceptability for a circumscribed group of phenomena in order to make the interconnection of these phenomena as clearly understandable as possible. But in reality such methodological differences do exist. The discovery of general laws in the field of economics is made difficult by the circumstance that observed economic phenomena are often affected by many factors which are very hard to evaluate separately. In addition, the experience which has accumulated since the beginning of the so-called civilized period of human history has – as is well known – been largely influenced and limited by causes which are by no means exclusively economic in nature. For example, most of the major states of history owed their existence to conquest. The conquering peoples established themselves, legally and economically, as the privileged class of the conquered country. They seized for themselves a monopoly of the land ownership and appointed a priesthood from among their own ranks. The priests, in control of education, made the class division of society into a permanent institution and created a system of values by which the people were thenceforth, to a large extent unconsciously, guided in their social behavior.
But historic tradition is, so to speak, of yesterday; nowhere have we really overcome what Thorstein Veblen called “the predatory phase” of human development. The observable economic facts belong to that phase and even such laws as we can derive from them are not applicable to other phases. Since the real purpose of socialism is precisely to overcome and advance beyond the predatory phase of human development, economic science in its present state can throw little light on the socialist society of the future.
Second, socialism is directed toward a social-ethical end. Science, however, cannot create ends and, even less, instill them in human beings; science, at most, can supply the means by which to attain certain ends. But the ends themselves are conceived by personalities with lofty ethical ideals and – if these ends are not stillborn, but vital and vigorous – are adopted and carried forward by those many human beings who, half-unconsciously, determine the slow evolution of society.
Click link to view full article huppi.com/kangaroo/Einstein.htm link (keeps the page from getting pushed around) update.uu.se/~fbendz/library/why_soc.htm
These days, all I care about is people caring about each other. In the words of Derrida and Levinas, unconditional hospitality.
It’s hard to choose right, wrong, or what’s best. After a decade of philosophical exploration, I don’t believe in such things. Someday again? Who knows.
We could just spend more time listening to each other. If there are some people unhappy or not getting what they desire, why not just talk to them, and even listen. To listen, what a concept. We spend too much time debating and pursuing victories in the world of ideas.
Hmm, and it seems that the experiements in socialism in the 20th century resulted in tiny minority super elite and a huge underclass of disgruntled workers.
No offense to Al, but he was wrong. The world, or humanity, is not ready for the socialist dream.
If everyone were as smart as Albert Einstein, socialism would probably work. In a world in which most people are challenged by the social responsibility of having to stand in a line though, any political system which relies on appeals to the common good rather than pure self interest is a hopeless pipe dream.
I hate it when he stays on topic and I don’t know it. [/quote]
Your need to read The Necronomicon…our socialist plan for mankind will be revealed.[/quote]
Comrade,
We need to take JDS swimming with us next time we visit our socialist brothers and sisters. Get him to “give it up” in exchange for some funky jewelry.
Someday again? Who knows.
