While it is possible to critique with fairness Kropotkin’s approach and presentation, what I have been led to wonder about is the question of “philosophical objective”. One thing: most of what is talked about, and bickered over, on this forum is less about philosophical problems and more about individual orientation within existential issues and questions. And these devolve into stark and generally fruitless arguments between political, social and ideological orientations.
Is progress ever made? (And what is progress?)
I reviewed my own orientation and objectives here on this forum dedicated to philosophical conversation and am clear about what I am doing here (and in my intellectual life).
But I wanted to ask you, FDPs (if you wish to talk about it) just what your objectives with philosophy are and, additionally, what you hope to achieve, or what you are achieving, here in this space?
One added comment based perhaps an intuited perspective — and I could use Kropotkin (and some others) as a reference-point — but I think at times that people engage even in polemics and vain argumentation (idea wheel-spinning) in some sense to remain alive. To feel some level of connection, even if dysfunctional, with other people. Being able to vehemently oppose someone, or some idea that one dislikes, fears or is horrified by, keeps one’s juices flowing. Provides a reason to keep pushing even if the pushing does not result in resolution, progress or agreement.
The thing that most amazes me is the thorough lack of agreements among the atomized participants here. I do think about that in relation to Nietzsche’s metaphor of the “erasure of horizon”.
Naturally, that is one main reason for my personal concern for the religion-question: that clinging to “metaphysical categories” in a chaotic and I think devolving world where people fall out of communion and unity with the people around them.
In this sense — again referring to Kropotkin — he describes (honestly, revealingly) his existential struggle as
an impasse. The world falls apart around him, he is trapped in economic restraints, he seeks to see and explain why, and simultaneously his body begins to give way.
I am curious to hear your thought, or anyone’s thoughts, on these views.