Going to hell in a hand basket
In the world of natural science existence is that which is measurable. If it cannot be measured it does not exist--except as that which must be exorcised--in any important way in the world of natural science. In the world of capitalism existence is that which correlates with commodity (an object of commerce). A person has value because s/he produces and/or consumes commodities.
The ideology of capitalism determines what is valuable and the nation’s institutions are determined by this ideology. Our schools are designed to produce good workers and hardy consumers. If a person wishes to be more than a producer or consumer s/he must find a way to do so without a great deal of help from the nation’s institutions.
To a large extent we are puppets of an ideology but we retain a degree of self-determination depending upon our strength of will, character, and intellectually developed desire.
Every capitalistic nation is on a trajectory greatly determined by the logic (principles) of capitalism. The logic of capitalism is constructed to facilitate the production and consumption of commodities. If we study the logic of capitalism we can, I think, accurately predict the trajectory of society.
I predict that we (the world) are “going to hell in a hand basket. What do you think about this bit of prophecy? If you agree, what can you and I do today to help start a change in trajectory?
Going to hell in a hand basket
Going to hell in a hand basket
I contend that Wal-Mart is ‘the logic of capitalism’. I mean that if one follows the principles of capitalism the result would be Wal-Mart. To me this means that in a capitalistic society Wal-Mart is acting logically.
When I say that most nations in the world are trying to stop Iran from making a bomb and that this is a rational action I mean that they are following the logic of their principles. Likewise Iran is following the logic of the principles of a sovereign nation.
So, when both entities are doing what they are doing we have a situation that if we follow the logic of the matter we will in short order have a world wherein almost all nations will have the bomb or we have a war between the two entities, the group and the one, ad infinitum.
The logic of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) was all we could depend upon during the cold war. It appears to me that today we still only have the logic of MAD. When the world is filled with nations with the bomb will not the logic of human action, as we perceive that logic to be from past history, dictate that the bomb will be used?
When I say that most nations in the world are trying to stop Iran from making a bomb and that this is a rational action I mean that they are following the logic of their principles. Likewise Iran is following the logic of the principles of a sovereign nation.
So, when both entities are doing what they are doing we have a situation that if we follow the logic of the matter we will in short order have a world wherein almost all nations will have the bomb or we have a war between the two entities, the group and the one, ad infinitum.
The logic of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) was all we could depend upon during the cold war. It appears to me that today we still only have the logic of MAD. When the world is filled with nations with the bomb will not the logic of human action, as we perceive that logic to be from past history, dictate that the bomb will be used?
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Casey Morgan
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:04 pm
Going to hell in a hand basket
coberst wrote: When the world is filled with nations with the bomb will not the logic of human action, as we perceive that logic to be from past history, dictate that the bomb will be used?
No, it won't. The logic of human action in this situation is the destruction of one's enemy without the destruction of oneself. Thus the more nations that have the bomb the more MAD is reinforced and thus the less chance the bomb will be used.
No, it won't. The logic of human action in this situation is the destruction of one's enemy without the destruction of oneself. Thus the more nations that have the bomb the more MAD is reinforced and thus the less chance the bomb will be used.
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Accountable
- Posts: 24818
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 8:33 am
Going to hell in a hand basket
You seem to be all over the place with this thread, coberst. I'll pick up the Walmart logic part. Can you clarify this for me?
coberst wrote: I contend that Wal-Mart is ‘the logic of capitalism’. I mean that if one follows the principles of capitalism the result would be Wal-Mart. To me this means that in a capitalistic society Wal-Mart is acting logically.
It seems you are only considering the part of Walmart everyone sees. What about the logistics? The warehouse/transportation system employed to get the goods to the store; the manufacture, packaging, and marketing of the wholesaler (who sells to other retailers as well); and let's not forget the infrastructure needed to create consumers with disposable income. All of these need to be nurtured if a retailer is to survive.
coberst wrote: I contend that Wal-Mart is ‘the logic of capitalism’. I mean that if one follows the principles of capitalism the result would be Wal-Mart. To me this means that in a capitalistic society Wal-Mart is acting logically.
It seems you are only considering the part of Walmart everyone sees. What about the logistics? The warehouse/transportation system employed to get the goods to the store; the manufacture, packaging, and marketing of the wholesaler (who sells to other retailers as well); and let's not forget the infrastructure needed to create consumers with disposable income. All of these need to be nurtured if a retailer is to survive.
Going to hell in a hand basket
Accountable wrote: You seem to be all over the place with this thread, coberst. I'll pick up the Walmart logic part. Can you clarify this for me?
It seems you are only considering the part of Walmart everyone sees. What about the logistics? The warehouse/transportation system employed to get the goods to the store; the manufacture, packaging, and marketing of the wholesaler (who sells to other retailers as well); and let's not forget the infrastructure needed to create consumers with disposable income. All of these need to be nurtured if a retailer is to survive.
I think that every action you mention are dictated by the logic of capitalism. Efficiency, low cost, using buying power to bully suppliers, getting bigger to increase volumn and power, driving the small shop out of business in the small town, all of these things are what a good business person does to enhance the bottom line.
This method of operation has its positive features, the problem that I see is that we must recognize both the good and the bad and learn how to make it work for our general welfare. Only an enlightened population can begin to comprehend reality and thus make enlightened changes.
It seems you are only considering the part of Walmart everyone sees. What about the logistics? The warehouse/transportation system employed to get the goods to the store; the manufacture, packaging, and marketing of the wholesaler (who sells to other retailers as well); and let's not forget the infrastructure needed to create consumers with disposable income. All of these need to be nurtured if a retailer is to survive.
I think that every action you mention are dictated by the logic of capitalism. Efficiency, low cost, using buying power to bully suppliers, getting bigger to increase volumn and power, driving the small shop out of business in the small town, all of these things are what a good business person does to enhance the bottom line.
This method of operation has its positive features, the problem that I see is that we must recognize both the good and the bad and learn how to make it work for our general welfare. Only an enlightened population can begin to comprehend reality and thus make enlightened changes.
Going to hell in a hand basket
Hamster wrote:
When all these jobs are obselete only then will people start to look for how they can give real value to people..ie..add something to people's lives by providing some service that is special...
Those that have self determination at birth seem to follow a different path from the start..Those (like me) who only got there through adversity and gaining strength will only change trajectory when there is no other way...
People with great drive do not necessarily want to do great things..Hitler you could argue was very driven.. I think everyone is equally prone to distraction.
When all these jobs are obselete only then will people start to look for how they can give real value to people..ie..add something to people's lives by providing some service that is special...
Those that have self determination at birth seem to follow a different path from the start..Those (like me) who only got there through adversity and gaining strength will only change trajectory when there is no other way...
People with great drive do not necessarily want to do great things..Hitler you could argue was very driven.. I think everyone is equally prone to distraction.