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=== The homework set ===
=== The homework set ===


We decided to explore what case can or cannot be made for a Universal basic Income at our next meeting. In selecting this topic we accepted that whilst it was less directly philosophically rooted than, say, our recent Nietzsche deliberations, it still incorporates some important philosophical constructs. For example:
If you haven’t already, do have a look at this ''School Of Life'' video about Hegel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5JGE3lhuNo
* the balance between personal freedom and seeking the common good,
 
* the nature/definition of 'work' and its benefits,  
I was somewhat heartened by the proposition made in it  that Hegel was a terrible writer, as before looking at this I really hadn’t got a handle on him.{{sc|(Linda)}}
* and the whole idea of 'universalizability', as conceived by Kant (on moral laws/imperatives) and Rousseau (the General Will) in particular.
 
The five main ideas of Hegel outlined in this video all have great relevance to modern problems and how to view them in a way that is not demoralising. I think looking at each of these would be a useful structure for our discussion on Tuesday. There are hints here of the pendulum of history that Howard has mentioned.
The basic idea of UBI has deep roots in philosophical and social theory:
 
* Julius Caesar willed money to all Roman citizens after his death.  
=== Quick Summary from Gemini, the AI tool, on the relevance of Hegel to today ===
* Thomas More wrote about the need for universal benefits in Utopia.  
 
* Thomas Paine was an advocate of universality of benefits, and  
Hegel, a towering figure in Western philosophy, remains surprisingly relevant in the 21st century for a multitude of reasons:
* Bertrand Russell was enthusiastic in 'Roads to Freedom'.  
====1. The Dialectical Method:====
* Willian Beveridge prompted debate on it in developing the Beveridge Plan, which led to the establishment of the 'Citizens Basic Income Trust'
* Hegel's emphasis on the dialectical process – the interplay of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis – provides a powerful framework for understanding complex issues and driving progress. This method encourages us to consider different perspectives, acknowledge contradictions, and strive for a more comprehensive understanding.
* In a world often characterized by polarization and entrenched positions, the Hegelian dialectic offers a way to move beyond simplistic binary oppositions and find common ground or more nuanced solutions.
 
====2. Understanding History and Progress:====
* Hegel's philosophy of history, which views history as a rational unfolding of "Spirit" towards greater freedom and self-consciousness, can still inform our understanding of societal development.
* While his specific teleological view might be debated, his emphasis on the historical context of ideas and institutions remains crucial for analyzing contemporary social and political issues. We can learn from the past to understand the present and shape the future.
 
====3. The Importance of Recognition:====
* Hegel's concept of ''Anerkennung'' (recognition), the idea that our self-consciousness and identity are formed through mutual recognition with others, is increasingly relevant in our interconnected world.
* Issues of social justice, identity politics, and the struggle for inclusion can be analyzed through the lens of recognition. Understanding the dynamics of who is recognized and who is marginalized is key to addressing inequality and fostering social cohesion.
 
====4. Holism and Interconnectedness:====
* Hegel's philosophy emphasizes holism, the idea that reality is an interconnected whole, rather than a collection of isolated parts. This perspective resonates with contemporary concerns about ecological systems, globalization, and the interconnectedness of social and economic phenomena.
* His approach encourages us to look beyond individual entities and consider the larger systems and relationships that shape our world.


Latter advocates included, somewhat surprisingly, Milton Friedman, Richard Nixon, along with such unlikely bedfellows as Elon Musk and Jeremy Corbyn!
====5. Influence on Subsequent Thought:====
* Hegel's ideas have profoundly influenced a vast range of subsequent thinkers and intellectual movements, including Marxism, existentialism, phenomenology, critical theory, and even aspects of analytic philosophy. Understanding Hegel is crucial for grasping the historical development of these influential schools of thought and their continued relevance today.  
The case for UBI is undoubtedly increased with the increasing deployment of AI, replacing workers, and potentially liberating them to undertake socially beneficial and fulfilling work, which previously has come under the heading of unpaid volunteering and caring.
There have been many trials of UBI, across countries (especially the USA) with mixed results. I found Wikipedia a useful way into the topic and a rich source of information. In particular, it differentiates between UBI and negative income tax, along with the distinction between means-tested and universal benefits.
Following the success of adopting a 'formal' proposer/opposer format for the discussion of compulsory voting we agreed that:
* Howard and Patricia would make the case for UBI, and
* Viki and Raymond would be in opposition.
As I mentioned on Tuesday I'm going to a Gresham College (free) lecture on ''The Case for a Universal Basic Income'' next Wednesday at 6.00pm. Gresham College is in Holborn and easily reached from Waterloo via buses to Holborn. I'd be very happy to have people join me, but you will need to pre-book via the Gresham College website. Alternatively you can watch online, either on Wednesday or later.
Looking forward to seeing you for more lively debate on the 25th.


----
====6. Debates in Ethics and Politics:====
* Hegel's ethical and political philosophy, particularly his work on the state and individual freedom in the Philosophy of Right, continues to be a source of debate and inspiration for contemporary political thought.
Last night I attended the lecture at Gresham College, given by Guy Standing, on '''The Case for Basic Income'''. It was excellent, and I encourage everyone to watch it online. It is now available on the Gresham College website at https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/case-basic-income?_gl=1*1c163m4*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-e6-BhDmARIsAOxxlxV-6M-WbZf7CTXycDI4_my0
* His ideas are relevant to discussions about the role of the state, the nature of rights, and the relationship between individual autonomy and social order. Some see him as a precursor to communitarianism, emphasizing the social embeddedness of individuals.
I was concerned that the lecture would be a dry recital of economic stuff. Fortunately, it turned out to be almost entirely about making the moral case for a basic income; the freedom and justice it potentially generates; how it enhances the democratic process by prompting engagement, co-operation and deliberation rather than confrontation.  


Guy Standing is an excellent and inspiring lecturer; provocative and thought-provoking, whether you agree with him or not.
====7. Understanding Modernity:====
* Hegel grappled with the challenges and contradictions of modernity, including the rise of individualism, secularism, and the complexities of modern institutions. His insights into these issues can still provide valuable perspectives on the challenges we face today.
David and Margie have very kindly agreed to make the case for a basic income, together with Patricia. Viki and Raymond will provide formidable opposition.


=== Introduction{{su|(S)}} ===
==== Summary ====
* UBI has turned to be a philosophically rich topic, embraced at times by such people as Jeremy Corbyn and Elon Musk.
However, it's also important to note some criticisms and complexities:
* The shrinking state that should arise from UBI appeals to the right and is therefore opposed by the left.
* Hegel's writing can be dense and challenging, making his work less accessible to a wider audience.
* The furlough scheme during the pandemic was a variation on a basic income provided by the state.
* Some critics have accused him of being a defender of the Prussian state and of a potentially totalitarian vision of the state.
* His teleological view of history is often seen as problematic in a more pluralistic and contingent understanding of historical processes.


=== The Case For{{su|(G&P)}} ===
In conclusion, while Hegel might seem like a philosopher of the past, his ideas continue to offer valuable frameworks for understanding the complexities of the present. His emphasis on dialectics, history, recognition, and interconnectedness, along with his profound influence on subsequent thought, ensures his enduring relevance to contemporary philosophical, social, and political discussions.
*We all benefit from the security provided by state support if things go badly for us. This security enables to take the necessary risks in life, e.g. by advancing our education.
* '''Universal basic income''' (UBI) is a welfare proposal in which all citizens of a given population regularly receive a minimum income in the form of an unconditional payment, i.e., without a means test or the need to perform work.
* In contrast, a '''guaranteed minimum income''' is paid only to those who do not already receive an income that is enough to live on. A UBI would be received independently of any other income.
* Universal basic income does not make a distinction between "deserving" and "undeserving" individuals when making payments.
* Basic income will be unrelated to the amount of work, paid or unpaid, that people put in. It is not a reward to unpaid carers or mothers for their labour.
==== Examples ====
*No country has implemented a full UBI system, but two countries—Mongolia and Iran—have had a partial UBI in the past.
* Many countries have a system of '''child benefit''', which is essentially a basic income for guardians of children.
* A '''pension''' is a basic income for retired persons.
==== The Basic Argument ====
* We are living in an age in which more and more of ''' the world’s income is going to owners of property and capital '''.
* AI will significantly reduce the number of available jobs. A basic income could help alleviate this problem by allowing everyone to benefit from society's wealth.
* A UBI system would eliminate many ''' means-tested ''' benefits, together with the expensive bureaucracy needed to administer those benefits, which would help fund the cost of UBI.
** UBI would reduce means testing and behaviour testing, which induce or oblige people to act contrary to their best interests – for instance, putting them through useless training or job-search programmes when they could be doing something more worthwhile.
** Every means-tested scheme suffers from low take-up rates, due to stigma, ignorance or fear.
* A basic income is fair because it ensures that everyone has a sufficient financial basis to build on, and therefore ''' less financial pressure '''.
** This would allow people to find work which better suits their interests and strengths, and also to take entrepreneurial risks, if that is their inclination.
** A basic income acts as a form of guarantee against default on a loan, enabling people to borrow at lower interest rates.
* Some governments take a utilitarian approach which aims to promote the happiness of the majority (often summed up as ‘the greatest happiness of the greatest number’), but this runs the danger of allowing politicians to care too little about making the minority miserable.
** whereas a Rawlsian approach says that justice is served only if a policy improves the position of the least advantaged.
* ''' Unattractive jobs would have to become more attractive ''', in order to get citizens are already receiving a basic income to do those jobs.
==== The Moral Argument ====
* The UK and particularly America have seen a rising tide of ‘deaths of despair’, through suicides, overdoses of prescription and illegal drugs, alcohol abuse etc.
* A basic income would help the millions of people everywhere who live in chronic insecurity and are effectively losing many of their rights.
* A basic income would encourage people to shift some of their time from resource-depleting activities to resource-preserving  activities such as caring or voluntary work.
* A basic income would strengthen the following ''' freedoms ''':
** the freedom to refuse a job that is onerous, boring, low-paying or just nasty;
** the freedom to do care work for a relative or friend, or voluntary work in and for the community, that might not be feasible if financial necessity required long hours of paid labour;
*** Unpaid work, from running parent-teacher associations to visiting the elderly, is essential for communities to function and flourish. Yet involvement in voluntary organizations of all kinds has declined almost everywhere.
** the ''' freedom to do creative work ''' and activities of all kinds.
*** Many great historical figures, from Galileo to Adam Smith, made their contribution to civilization precisely because they were ‘idle’ in the conventional economic sense.
*** Charles Darwin admitted that he was able to embark on his epic voyage on HMS Beagle because he came from a wealthy family whereby he had ‘ample leisure from not having to earn my own bread’.
* Our government uses National Lottery money to '''fund potential Olympic champions'''. In effect, it gives them a basic income (not universal) enabling them to spend as much time as possible on their chosen sport.
** The achievements of these ‘gentlemen of leisure’ could not have been predicted.
* Basic income is about social justice, freedom, equality and security. These would all be enhanced whatever the level of basic income, although the higher the level the greater the effect would be.
----
* All countries with UBI seem to be happy with it. Wales is currently running a trial which will finish in June.
=== The Case Against{{su|(V&R)}} ===
* UBI cannot be universal. 'Universal' is a non-starter. People who don’t require state help should not receive it.
* State aid should be directed: child poverty would be a good place to start.
* Pericles said city-state funds should go to people who contribute—not to everyone.
* Marx: "To each according to their needs" is a much better maxim
* The communist state of Vietnam tried UBI, but it proved a disaster. There was no incentive for anyone to do any work.
* The cost of implementing UBI would be prohibitive. A complete review of tax system would be required. The Rowntree Foundation calculates that  the basic rate of income tax would need to go up to 58%.
* UBI would increase reliance on the state. People would not be motivated to be self-supporting.
* Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand.
* There would be inflation: prices will go up because people have more money.
* UBI would encourage migration. There would be increased competition for housing, healthcare etc.
* The high-tax system would drive entrepreneurs and high earners away from the UK.
* Preferable to UBI would be a Minimum Income Guarantee, to ensure no one falls beneath.
* If there is spare cash in government pockets, it should be spent on foreign aid.
----
* The assumptions about the activities of those who receive UBI see heroic. They can be expected to indulge their online addictions and liking for fentanyl and gambling.
* There are more pressing cases for welfare reform than implementing UBI.
* The costs of implementing UBI would lead to expanding deficits, or the reallocation of resources from elsewhere.
* It would be detrimental to the most needy.
* There are psychological benefits to work.
* UBI would undermine incentives to participate in society.
* UBI would encourage dependence.
* Targeted non-universal basic income would be more effective.
* A fixed basic income would have differing levels of marginal utility depending on the wealth of the recipient.
* Experiences in the 1930s demonstrated how labour-intensive means testing can be.
* To achieve social justice, there is a need is for full employment.  


=== Discussion ===
=== Discussion ===
* The case against UBI is powerful and turns on its head what Standing said.{{su|(S)}}
==== Hegel’s Theories ====
==== Trials of UBI ====
* Hegel is horrible to read.{{su|(L)}}
* Andy Burnham is talking about introducing basic income for the homeless of Manchester.{{su|(A)}}
* Hegel left us various soundbites.{{su|(P)}}
* There is talk of a pilot in Finchley. But two years is not long enough for a trial.{{su|(ℜ)}}
*:'Nothing great in the world was accomplished without passion.'
** There are no longitudinal studies.{{su|(R)}}
*:'We learn from history that we do not learn from history.'
*:'Only one man ever understood me, and he didn't understand me.'
*:'War is progress, peace is stagnation.'
* Marx was much more materialistic than Hegel.{{su|(S)}}
* Russell wrote that Hegel had a poor understanding of history.
* The progress of history is 'crablike', Hegel said.{{su|(S)}}
* Hegel believed we should learn from ideas we dislike.{{su|(L)}} 
*:Definition: ''teleological'' relates to the doctrine of design and purpose in the material world.
* Hegel's idea of 'spirit' seems to be a recourse to religiosity.{{su|(R)}}
* Hegel believed that the era of Christianity after the Romans was a force for good.{{su|(D)}}
* Hegel's view of history seem to take no account of progress in scientific understanding or of the contribution of inventions to our wellbeing.{{su|(G)}}
* Hegel's definitions of words such as 'freedom' and 'logic' were different to ours.{{su|(A)}}
* Philosopher's background will inevitably influence their outlook. Mathematical philosophers such as Frege, Leibniz, and Spinoza are less colourful than Hegel.{{su|(L)}}
* Hegel recognised that the roots of our knowledge are sensory. Life is nuanced. Hegel made contributions to the philosophy of mind and psychology.
* Hegel didn’t value the individual, but instead the collective.{{su|(A)}}
* The inscription at the temple of Apollo in Delphi was 'Know thyself.'{{su|(R)}}
** You’ve got to take into account where you live, too.{{su|(J)}}
* He lived through a period of immense change, witnessing the Terror and Napoleon's conquest, for example. The authorities didn’t like all his writings. French revolutionaries wanted to protect their revolution.{{su|(M)}}
* Perhaps today’s social media is a manifestation of Hegel’s theory of interconnectedness.{{su|(A)}}
 
==== Dialectics ====
 
* The current Trumpian era is the antithesis of the progress civilization has enjoyed in recent years.
* Jose Mourinho has frequently quoted Hegel on the truth, particularly the idea that "the truth is in the whole.{{su|(S)}}
* How does Hegel's dialectic process compare with Socratic dialogue?{{su|(S)}}
* Dialectic doesn’t necessarily mean a chain of questioning.{{su|(L)}}
* Socrates' target was often the Sophists.{{su|(S)}}
* In most of their discussions, Glaucon eventually agreed to Socrates' point.{{su|(L)}}
* The conflict resolution book{{su|[2]}} by Fisher and Ury was used at Camp David.{{su|(S)}}
* The important thing in large political problems may be the process, not the goal, because over time the goal will change.{{su|(A)}}
* Hegel's fruit tree metaphor illustrates his philosophy of history as a dialectical process, where each stage (buds, blossoms, fruit) is essential for the whole, and the final stage (fruit) reveals the true purpose of the tree.{{su|(S)}}
 
==== Government ====
* Do we now need new institutions to cope with the Supreme Court ruling on what a woman is?{{su|(S)}}
* The House of Lords doesn’t work, along with several other institutions.{{su|(A)}}
* We need to adapt rather than ditch our imperfect organisations.{{su|(S)}}
* We have had poor quality government for many years.{{su|(R)}}
* Is that a criticism of civil servants?{{su|(D)}}
* Good points were made in parliament during the Brexit debates, but was not reported by news providers.{{su|(A)}}
* Parliamentary select committees often present high quality debate.{{su|(D)}}
* Media played a role in this. No other MEP apart from Farage appeared on Radio Four's ''Question Time''.{{su|(L)}}
* The European Research Group never generated a single piece of research.{{su|(R)}} 
* Hegel said there is something in nationalism.{{su|(S)}}


==== Work Today ====
====The World ====
* Trickle-down economics don't work, but bottom-up do.{{su|(A)}}
* Internationalisation happened before globalisation. It generated greater trade volumes than the early days of globalisation.{{su|(R)}}  
* £8,000 is said to be necessary for survival.{{su|(ℜ)}}
* Germany realised it didn’t have any colonies so went about trying to acquire them.{{su|(M)}}
* UBI will be difficult to implement. Is it a good thing to aim for?{{su|(J)}}
* Global corporations now undermine nation-states. Trump now imitating a backlash.{{su|(S)}}
* UBI is about allowing people to make choices.{{su|(S)}}
* Corporations now know what they need better than nation-states.{{su|(A)}}
* Is work still beneficial to a sense of self? Previous jobs such as mining created camaraderie.{{su|(L)}}
* Many firms are no longer offering internships.{{su|(L)}}


==== Taxation and Allowances ====
==== Hegel and Trump ====
* Beveridge believed his measures would make people nicer and less stressed.{{su|(S)}}
* Would Marx be saying that the mayhem unleashed by Trump signals the collapse of capitalism?{{su|(S)}}
* Why is administering the Winter Fuel Allowance based on pensions credit so difficult?{{su|(R)}}
* Some good emerged after the Second World War, in particular the United Nations and GATT. Trump is undermining all of this.{{su|(D)}}
* Means testing vs needs assessment.
* And Trump is now attacking the Federal Reserve.{{su|(R)}}  
* Your total income (including UBI) would be taxed.{{su|(S)}}
* So many organisations believe Trump is wrong, so Trump is trying to weaken his many enemies.{{su|(G)}}  
* Why is Finland so happy when it is taxed so highly?{{su|(S)}}
* Trump is acting as a demagogue.{{su|(R)}}
* In ''The Spirit Level'' it was stated that there are unexpected correlations, such as between the least equal societies and teenage pregnancies.{{su|(S)}}
* It's the weakness of the US presidential system which has allowed Trump to behave as a king.{{su|(A)}}
* Negative Income Tax used to be a Lib Dem policy.{{su|(S)}}
* A carbon tax would hit the wealthiest hard e.g. via their private jets.{{su|(S)}}
* The trouble with consequentialism is that you do not know what the consequences will be.{{su|(L)}}
* The USA is more class-conscious than the UK.{{su|(R)}}
** But it’s all money-based.{{su|(A)}}
* People in Blackpool pay £400 more council tax on average than households in the South-East, because of the higher levels of poverty in the area that needs to be supported.


==== Education ====
====Fragments ====
* No one in the current cabinet went to private school.{{su|(L)}}
* Copies of the Beveridge Report were found in Hitler's bunker in Berlin.{{su|(S)}}
* We’re cutting back on education when we should be investing.{{su|(R)}}
* Leonard Bernstein famously conducted two concerts in Berlin in 1989, to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall. The concerts featured Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, with the lyrics to the "Ode to Joy" altered to "Ode to Freedom" in the final movement.{{su|(J)}}
* Those who don't like school should be given the opportunity to leave school at 14 and then bank the option to take GCSEs later when the person is ready.{{su|(V)}}
* In Texas, despite Trump, there has been more recent investment in green energy than in fossil fuels.{{su|(S)}}
* The introduction of comprehensives was the best structural change she saw during her teaching career.{{su|(P)}}
* The UK should be more like Germanny and Holland in fostering technical education for those who prefer to work with their hands or by doing.{{su|(R)}}
* Arts education opportunities are diminishing.{{su|(L)}}


----
----


==== Books and Documents referenced ====
==== Book and film referenced ====
* [1] 'Is Universal Basic Income a good idea?' https://www.jrf.org.uk/social-security/is-universal-basic-income-a-good-idea
* [1] 'The Penguin Lessons' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdjEXNX1nSA
* [2] Guy Standing: 'Basic Income and How We Can Make It Happen'  https://www.rentabasicauniversal.es/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Basic-Income_-And-How-We-Can-Ma-Guy-Standing.pdf
* [2] {{bookref|<!-- Author --> Roger Fisher and William Ury| <!-- Title -->'Getting to Yes'|<!-- Publisher -->Random House|<!-- Year of Publication -->1982|<!-- City of Publication -->}}
* [3] {{bookref|<!-- Author --> Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett| <!-- Title -->'The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone'|<!-- Publisher -->Bloomsbury|<!-- Year of Publication -->2009|<!-- City of Publication -->}}


----
----

Latest revision as of 14:14, 23 April 2025

The Wells School of Philosophy

Roll Call

22nd April 2024, Hare Lane, 1000-1200 hrs:

Tutors: Linda (L), Steve (S)

Pupils: Alexis (A), David (D), John (J), Margie (M) Patricia (P), Ray (R), Robin (ℜ)

Scribe: Gavin (G)

Apologies: Colin (C), Howard (H), Viki (V)

The homework set

If you haven’t already, do have a look at this School Of Life video about Hegel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5JGE3lhuNo

I was somewhat heartened by the proposition made in it that Hegel was a terrible writer, as before looking at this I really hadn’t got a handle on him.(LINDA)

The five main ideas of Hegel outlined in this video all have great relevance to modern problems and how to view them in a way that is not demoralising. I think looking at each of these would be a useful structure for our discussion on Tuesday. There are hints here of the pendulum of history that Howard has mentioned.

Quick Summary from Gemini, the AI tool, on the relevance of Hegel to today

Hegel, a towering figure in Western philosophy, remains surprisingly relevant in the 21st century for a multitude of reasons:

1. The Dialectical Method:

  • Hegel's emphasis on the dialectical process – the interplay of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis – provides a powerful framework for understanding complex issues and driving progress. This method encourages us to consider different perspectives, acknowledge contradictions, and strive for a more comprehensive understanding.
  • In a world often characterized by polarization and entrenched positions, the Hegelian dialectic offers a way to move beyond simplistic binary oppositions and find common ground or more nuanced solutions.

2. Understanding History and Progress:

  • Hegel's philosophy of history, which views history as a rational unfolding of "Spirit" towards greater freedom and self-consciousness, can still inform our understanding of societal development.
  • While his specific teleological view might be debated, his emphasis on the historical context of ideas and institutions remains crucial for analyzing contemporary social and political issues. We can learn from the past to understand the present and shape the future.

3. The Importance of Recognition:

  • Hegel's concept of Anerkennung (recognition), the idea that our self-consciousness and identity are formed through mutual recognition with others, is increasingly relevant in our interconnected world.
  • Issues of social justice, identity politics, and the struggle for inclusion can be analyzed through the lens of recognition. Understanding the dynamics of who is recognized and who is marginalized is key to addressing inequality and fostering social cohesion.

4. Holism and Interconnectedness:

  • Hegel's philosophy emphasizes holism, the idea that reality is an interconnected whole, rather than a collection of isolated parts. This perspective resonates with contemporary concerns about ecological systems, globalization, and the interconnectedness of social and economic phenomena.
  • His approach encourages us to look beyond individual entities and consider the larger systems and relationships that shape our world.

5. Influence on Subsequent Thought:

  • Hegel's ideas have profoundly influenced a vast range of subsequent thinkers and intellectual movements, including Marxism, existentialism, phenomenology, critical theory, and even aspects of analytic philosophy. Understanding Hegel is crucial for grasping the historical development of these influential schools of thought and their continued relevance today.

6. Debates in Ethics and Politics:

  • Hegel's ethical and political philosophy, particularly his work on the state and individual freedom in the Philosophy of Right, continues to be a source of debate and inspiration for contemporary political thought.
  • His ideas are relevant to discussions about the role of the state, the nature of rights, and the relationship between individual autonomy and social order. Some see him as a precursor to communitarianism, emphasizing the social embeddedness of individuals.

7. Understanding Modernity:

  • Hegel grappled with the challenges and contradictions of modernity, including the rise of individualism, secularism, and the complexities of modern institutions. His insights into these issues can still provide valuable perspectives on the challenges we face today.

Summary

However, it's also important to note some criticisms and complexities:

  • Hegel's writing can be dense and challenging, making his work less accessible to a wider audience.
  • Some critics have accused him of being a defender of the Prussian state and of a potentially totalitarian vision of the state.
  • His teleological view of history is often seen as problematic in a more pluralistic and contingent understanding of historical processes.

In conclusion, while Hegel might seem like a philosopher of the past, his ideas continue to offer valuable frameworks for understanding the complexities of the present. His emphasis on dialectics, history, recognition, and interconnectedness, along with his profound influence on subsequent thought, ensures his enduring relevance to contemporary philosophical, social, and political discussions.

Discussion

Hegel’s Theories

  • Hegel is horrible to read.(L)
  • Hegel left us various soundbites.(P)
    'Nothing great in the world was accomplished without passion.'
    'We learn from history that we do not learn from history.'
    'Only one man ever understood me, and he didn't understand me.'
    'War is progress, peace is stagnation.'
  • Marx was much more materialistic than Hegel.(S)
  • Russell wrote that Hegel had a poor understanding of history.
  • The progress of history is 'crablike', Hegel said.(S)
  • Hegel believed we should learn from ideas we dislike.(L)
    Definition: teleological relates to the doctrine of design and purpose in the material world.
  • Hegel's idea of 'spirit' seems to be a recourse to religiosity.(R)
  • Hegel believed that the era of Christianity after the Romans was a force for good.(D)
  • Hegel's view of history seem to take no account of progress in scientific understanding or of the contribution of inventions to our wellbeing.(G)
  • Hegel's definitions of words such as 'freedom' and 'logic' were different to ours.(A)
  • Philosopher's background will inevitably influence their outlook. Mathematical philosophers such as Frege, Leibniz, and Spinoza are less colourful than Hegel.(L)
  • Hegel recognised that the roots of our knowledge are sensory. Life is nuanced. Hegel made contributions to the philosophy of mind and psychology.
  • Hegel didn’t value the individual, but instead the collective.(A)
  • The inscription at the temple of Apollo in Delphi was 'Know thyself.'(R)
    • You’ve got to take into account where you live, too.(J)
  • He lived through a period of immense change, witnessing the Terror and Napoleon's conquest, for example. The authorities didn’t like all his writings. French revolutionaries wanted to protect their revolution.(M)
  • Perhaps today’s social media is a manifestation of Hegel’s theory of interconnectedness.(A)

Dialectics

  • The current Trumpian era is the antithesis of the progress civilization has enjoyed in recent years.
  • Jose Mourinho has frequently quoted Hegel on the truth, particularly the idea that "the truth is in the whole.(S)
  • How does Hegel's dialectic process compare with Socratic dialogue?(S)
  • Dialectic doesn’t necessarily mean a chain of questioning.(L)
  • Socrates' target was often the Sophists.(S)
  • In most of their discussions, Glaucon eventually agreed to Socrates' point.(L)
  • The conflict resolution book[2] by Fisher and Ury was used at Camp David.(S)
  • The important thing in large political problems may be the process, not the goal, because over time the goal will change.(A)
  • Hegel's fruit tree metaphor illustrates his philosophy of history as a dialectical process, where each stage (buds, blossoms, fruit) is essential for the whole, and the final stage (fruit) reveals the true purpose of the tree.(S)

Government

  • Do we now need new institutions to cope with the Supreme Court ruling on what a woman is?(S)
  • The House of Lords doesn’t work, along with several other institutions.(A)
  • We need to adapt rather than ditch our imperfect organisations.(S)
  • We have had poor quality government for many years.(R)
  • Is that a criticism of civil servants?(D)
  • Good points were made in parliament during the Brexit debates, but was not reported by news providers.(A)
  • Parliamentary select committees often present high quality debate.(D)
  • Media played a role in this. No other MEP apart from Farage appeared on Radio Four's Question Time.(L)
  • The European Research Group never generated a single piece of research.(R)
  • Hegel said there is something in nationalism.(S)

The World

  • Internationalisation happened before globalisation. It generated greater trade volumes than the early days of globalisation.(R)
  • Germany realised it didn’t have any colonies so went about trying to acquire them.(M)
  • Global corporations now undermine nation-states. Trump now imitating a backlash.(S)
  • Corporations now know what they need better than nation-states.(A)

Hegel and Trump

  • Would Marx be saying that the mayhem unleashed by Trump signals the collapse of capitalism?(S)
  • Some good emerged after the Second World War, in particular the United Nations and GATT. Trump is undermining all of this.(D)
  • And Trump is now attacking the Federal Reserve.(R)
  • So many organisations believe Trump is wrong, so Trump is trying to weaken his many enemies.(G)
  • Trump is acting as a demagogue.(R)
  • It's the weakness of the US presidential system which has allowed Trump to behave as a king.(A)

Fragments

  • Copies of the Beveridge Report were found in Hitler's bunker in Berlin.(S)
  • Leonard Bernstein famously conducted two concerts in Berlin in 1989, to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall. The concerts featured Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, with the lyrics to the "Ode to Joy" altered to "Ode to Freedom" in the final movement.(J)
  • In Texas, despite Trump, there has been more recent investment in green energy than in fossil fuels.(S)

Book and film referenced

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INDEX
Justice
6.v.25
The Good Life
20.v.25
Hume & Testimony
3.vi.25
1H25 Reflections
17.vi.25
Nietzsche 1
24.ii.25
Nietzsche 2
11.iii.25
Universal Basic Income
25.iii.25
Hegel
22.iv.25
2024 Wrap-Up
10.x.24
Democracy
14.i.25
Civilisation?
28.i.25
Compulsory Voting?
11.ii.25
Berlin and Freedom
15.x.24
Nussbaum, Sen and Capability
29.x.24
Slavery Reparations
12.xi.24
Rawls
26.xi.24
Assisted Suicide
11.vi.24
Popper and Evolution
20.viii.24
Popper continued
17.ix.24
Berlin and Romanticism
1.x.24
Marx
19.iii.24
Kant and Knowledge
16.iv.24
Kant and Morality
30.iv.24
Education and Religion
14.v.24
Hobbes & Security
23.i.24
From Locke to Mill
6.ii.24
Rousseau: Social Contract
20.ii.24
Rousseau and Education
5.iii.24
AI and Ethics
31.x.23
Aristotle and AI
14.xi.23
Autumn 2023 Review
28.xi.23
Democracy
9.i.24
Private Education
5.ix.23
The Very Elderly
19.ix.23
Justifiable Law-breaking
3.x.23
Moral Authority
17.x.23
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