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Russian Revolutionary Anarchist
Liberté. . .
Egalité . . .
Fraternité !
Post 1. Both Equality & Freedom continued . . .
Although that kind of internal political incongruity seems to be irrational and divisive, Harari thinks the resultant personal Cognitive Dissonance, and political discord, is an inherent feature of all human organizations. “Such contradictions are an inseparable part of every human culture. In fact, they are culture’s engines, responsible for the creativity and dynamism of our species.” Completely harmonious societies tend to be resistant to change, and hence are less competitive in the race of Cultural Evolution. But societies that are dissatisfied with the status quo, are motivated to make adjustments, either by going back to a more stable state in the past, or by experimenting with risky social arrangements in the future.
It’s that one step forward and one step backward dance of politics that gives human history its characteristic zig-zag pattern. In his Philosophy of History, Georg Hegel referred to the back & forth path of cultural evolution as the “Dialectic”, or dialogue, referring back to Aristotle’s definition of a reasoned argument. Unfortunately, in practice, cultural change is not always reasoned or civilized. But it seems to be getting us somewhere. Despite the irrationality and violence of history’s record, Harari sees reasons for optimism. “From the vantage point of . . . millennia . . . it becomes crystal clear that history is moving relentlessly towards unity.” Obviously, we are not there yet. Even the notion of a single World Order evokes, for some people, images of ruthless ancient Empires, and the perfect mythical societies of idealistic dictators, such as Hitler. So, he seems to believe that we can have the best of both worlds : both Progressive and Conservative, both Egalitarian and Free. If only we can convince the right & left wingers that cooperation and competition are healthy in their appropriate places.
End of Blog Post 1
Cognitive Dissonance :
Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort (psychological stress) experienced by a person who simultaneously holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values. The occurrence of cognitive dissonance is a consequence of a person's performing an action that contradicts personal beliefs, ideals, and values; and also occurs when confronted with new information that contradicts said beliefs, ideals, and values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance
Hegelian Dialectic :
A theory of historical development that is often attributed to the philosopher G.W.F. Hegel. It proposes that cultural understanding progresses, despite conflicts, via 3 stages labeled Thesis (a dominant cultural worldview or “-Ism”), then Antithesis (an opposing view), hence to Synthesis (a blend of the prior views). Stage 3 then becomes the thesis for the next round of quarreling belief systems.
See Glossary for more details.
The society that puts equality before freedom will end up with neither. The society that puts freedom before equality will end up with a great measure of both.
Milton Friedman
Democracy destroys itself because it abuses its right to freedom and equality. Because it teaches its citizens to consider audacity as a right, lawlessness as a freedom, abrasive speech as equality, and anarchy as progress.
Isocrates 338 BC
Freedom and equality are natural born enemies.
Will Durant
Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.
Alexis de Tocqueville
