Guest Jack Collis joins the podcast to discuss Egoist Communism and the convergence of anarchist and Marxist thought. They explore the influence of Hegel and the Young Hegelians, the relationship between power and belief, the motivations of Jeff Bezos, the interconnection of anti-natalism and capitalism, the concept of state capitalism, the narrow form of self-interest in capitalism, the impact of the printing press, and the complexities of property and power.
Stoner and Marx have contrasting views on individualism and the role of social and economic constraints.
Marx argues that labor under capitalism limits true individual freedom due to the division of labor and alienation from work.
Stoner sees the pauper's exclusion as an opportunity for revolutionary action, while Marx sees the working class as the true revolutionary subject.
Stoner and Marx have different understandings of the state's role within capitalism, with Marx emphasizing the material power and constraints imposed by the state.
Deep dives
The Contrasting Views on Individualism and Social Abstractions
Stoner proclaims the importance of individualism and rejects social abstractions, while Marx argues that the individual is shaped by social and economic constraints. Stoner sees the pursuit of individual desires and pleasure as the ultimate goal, while Marx asserts that collective action is necessary to overcome the constraints of capitalism and achieve true individual freedom.
The Alienation of Labor and Division of Labor
Marx criticizes Stoner's view that labor can be egoistic, emphasizing how modern capitalism channels labor into narrow and alienating tasks. Marx argues that the division of labor under capitalism leads to a lack of personal and meaningful engagement in work, limiting true individual freedom. Stoner fails to recognize how labor is shaped by the needs of capital and the constraints of the capitalist system.
The Revolutionary Potential of the Pauper and the Proletariat
Stoner highlights the pauper's exclusion from the capitalist system as an opportunity for revolutionary action, as they are not bound by the constraints of labor. Marx, on the other hand, argues that the proletariat, the working class, is the true revolutionary subject. He sees the popularization and exploitation of the proletariat under capitalism as a catalyst for collective action against the system, leading to the liberation of both the individual and society.
The Relationship between Capitalism and the State
While Stoner views the state as a collective illusion and authority, Marx recognizes the material power and constraints imposed by the state in upholding the interests of capital. Marx argues that the symbiotic relationship between capitalism and the state enables the capitalist class to maintain control and hinder true individual freedom and self-interest. They both misunderstand each other's perspectives on the state and its role within capitalism.
Emphasizing the importance of work in Marx's critique of individualism
Marx criticizes Stoner's conception of individualism, arguing that work is the fundamental obstacle to the realization of the individual. Marx's vision of the fully realized individual involves the freedom to do as one pleases throughout the day, unencumbered by the constraints of work and the market.
Capitalism's impact on individual pursuits and the commodification of life
Under capitalism, individual pursuits outside of work, such as practicing yoga or engaging in art, are channeled through the market. The scarcity of capital and the artificial scarcity it creates limit true individualism, as many activities and experiences require money and work to attain. Individualism today often manifests as a curated social media profile that reinforces capitalist domination.
The limitations of capitalist self-interest and the illusion of individual freedom
Capitalist figures like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are often celebrated for their self-interest and long work hours. However, this narrow egoism is constrained by the need to chase money and the never-ending demands of capital. The pursuit of self-interest in capitalism often limits one's ability to enjoy life outside of work, leading to a contradiction between the capitalist ideal and true individual freedom.
Capital as an entity and the collective nature of wealth
Capital, in its entity, seeks its own reproduction and dominates over individual pursuits and desires. Figures like Bezos and Musk contribute to the acceleration of capital's power by continuing to work and sacrificing their own self-interest. The power of capital supersedes the individual and its wealth is dependent on the participation and labor of society as a whole, making everyone effectively a 'meat puppet' of capital.
Jack Collis (@technoecologic), friend of the podcast, currently working on a 12-episode first season of a YouTube series on philosophy, politics, and economics (utopiaTV), joined me for a deep dive into Egoist Communism.
We looked at 3 pieces:
Max Stirner and Karl Marx: An Overlooked Contretemps by Paul Thomas
https://scihub.se/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9780230348929_6?fbclid=IwAR2vzTz3b3e58-i1BeNn_2gBWjC5O84n_3QuHjtMJX4N34VWnS-pJdcsHeE
The Theory of the Individual: Stirner’s Savage Thought by Alfredo Bonanno
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/alfredo-m-bonanno-the-theory-of-the-individual-stirner-s-savage-thought.pdf
The Right To Be Greedy: Theses On The Practical Necessity Of Demanding Everything by For Ourselves
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/for-ourselves-the-right-to-be-greedy-theses-on-the-practical-necessity-of-demanding-everything?fbclid=IwAR11u6mUBAFr-ZmqFemtcui1gaAqwwyCe8M-nsRjMZM4kbHG9yfE22-84PY
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