Paddy Hackett The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race ^^^^^^ CB: From a Marxist perspective, the origin of agriculture - domestication of plants and animals - was the basis for producing surpluses, which in turnsupported non-productive classes that evolved into exploitative classes.
Paddy: I understand what you are saying Charles. But does this linearity constitute progress? On what basis can it be validly concluded what is advanced, progressive or better. Can it be validly concluded that bacteria or chimps are less succesful or more advanced species than homo sapiens? Paddy Hackett ^^^^^^ CB: No, I don't consider the origin of _exploiting_ classes as progress. Now with nuclear weapons, I'd say that in the long run, it has been regressive, not progressive. Of course, I was an anthropology major in school, and we are often accused of indulging in romaticizing "noble savages". I have a paper I wrote arguing that "primary culture" is superior to state-exploitative culture, given that primary culture lasted for hundreds of thousands of years successfully, and now state-exploitative culture threatens extinction of our species. In other words, no, I don't think it's progressive, in the big picture. _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list Marxism-Thaxis@lists.econ.utah.edu To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
