Philosophy Now Forum

Human history is mostly depressing stuff. Greed, vanity, envy are the main forces motivating the powerful -- duplicity, ignorance, violence are their favorite tools. But every now and then, for brief periods, the trend is reversed and we see curiosity, creativity, honesty, integrity and fairness in the ascendant. The consequent major advances in all areas of human endeavor astonish us all. These are the ages when intelligent thinking is admired, when pride in human ability and optimism for the future prevail.

The first of these periods in recorded western history took place in ancient Greece between circa 600BC and 100AD.

It followed, significantly, perhaps the most dramatic example of an act of intelligent problem-solving in the social arena, as described by Will Durant: in The life of Greece - The story of civilization. When faced with popular revolt due to the citizens having been mercilessly exploited by the moneyed classes, Solon passed a law abolishing all debts owed either to private persons or to the state. Imagine someone trying to suggest a solution like that today!

Starfall wrote:The economy being self-contained is certainly a very important factor in reducing corruption. At the very least, it cuts off the corruption outside of the country from flowing in, and the system only has to tackle internal corruption. If the system continues functioning as you plotted out, then there are no problems. If capitalism works, there is no reason this system should not. Sadly, corruption is a serious threat and can be caused by any number of human desires. As I said before, however, that does not mean the system is wholly inapplicable. If a suitable way to go from capitalism to this new system could be found, then perhaps humans would not be as greedy and as lustful as they are today. I believe the most important task in creating a new social order (and the most promising way of changing systems) is changing the system of education. If you educate people in a way suitable for them to be part of this new system, then they will be. Today, even schools are ran with competitive systems. You enter an exam, the one who gets the better grade is applauded, the one who gets the worse grade is shunned. If this system was to be changed in a way that would prepare people for a new social order, that would be a very important first step towards the capitalism-communism hybrid that we aim to reach.

Advocate wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2020 4:35 am

Ned wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2015 7:51 pm I had high hopes for this thread, <snip>

If you're still around, i want in on this conversation, years later. Are you still around? I don't enjoy shouting into the void.