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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 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.
- Progress of history was 'crablike', Hegel said.(S)
- Hegel believed we should learn from ideas we dislike.(L)
- The Trumpian era is the antithesis of the progress we have enjoyed in recent years.
- In Texas, despite Trump, there has been more recent investment in green energy than in fossil fuels.(S)
- 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)
Alexis: definitions of freedom, logic etc different.
Linda: mathematical philosophers grim: Frege, Leibniz, Spinoza. Background will inevitably influence philosophers outlook.
Steve: Humanitarian philosopher, rather than mathematical. Not materialist. Honour, democracy,
Root of our knowledge is sensory. Life is nuanced. Philosophy of mind. Psychology.
Alexis: didn’t value the individual, but instead the collective.
Ray: Temple of Apollo. Know thyself.
John: you’ve got to know where you live too.
Ray: notions of reality.
Margie: time of immense change. Terror. Supported Prussian state. Authorities didn’t like all his writings. French revolutionaries wanted to protect their revolution.
With Hitler’s body was found the beveridge report.
Russell: bad logics often lead to interesting outcomes.
Mourinho quoted Hegel’s on the truth.
Steve: comparison dialectic with Socratic dialogue.
Linda: Dialectic doesn’t mean a chain of discussion necessarily.
Steve: Socrates attacking the sophists.
Linda: glaucon eventually agreed to a definition.
Conflict resolution book used at camp David.
Negotiation and compromise.
Ury and fry getting to yes.
Alexis: Important thing is the process, not the goal, because overtime the goal will change.
John: Bernstein concert at end of Berlin Wall. Beethoven freuheit is joy of heaven . Was Freude.
Steve: now need new institutions to cope with what is a woman ruling.
Alexis: hol doesn’t work, along with other institutions.
Steve: we need to adapt rather than ditch.
Ray: Poor quality government for many years.
David: criticising Civil servants?
Steve: talk in sound bites today.
Alexis: good points made in parliament in Brexit debates, but not reported by news providers.
Linda: media have a role in this. No other mep apart from farage appeared on r4 question time.
Ray: badenoch cited potholes as being the big Tory sales point.
Steve: Hegel said there is something in nationalism.
Linda Hegel said find the humanity in everything.
Socrates rather keen on will and the passions.
Steve: fruit tree metaphor: buds, blossom, fruit.
David: apple tree and plum tree. Apples but not plums will be good today.
Ray metaphor to bring about change. Penguin film in Argentina.
David: Parliamentary select committees high quality debate.
Ray: erg generated no research.
Steve: Monica videos always show her sitting next to a map on their phone.
John: you have to think internationally. You have to have trade.
Ray: internationalisation happened before globalisation. Generated more trade volumes than the early days of globalisation.
JUte production: invest where the good is produced. Dundee and Bangladesh.
Germany realised it didn’t have any colonies so went about trying to acquire them.
Steve: global corporations now undermine nation-states. Trump now imitating a backlash.
Alexis Corporations now know what they want better than nation-states.
Steve: would Marx be saying this is the collapse of capitalism.
David: good out some of ww2 was United Nations and gatt. Trump is undermining all of this.
Ray: Trump attack on federal reserve.
Trump is acting as a demagogue.
Weakness of presidential system. Trump as king.
Ripple affect across world: Putin, Netanyahu, Hungarian chap.
Steve: Donna holt published location of 10 immigrants in claygate.
Alexis: social media as manifestation Hegel’s theory of interconnectedness.
Next time: nature of justice. Memory surfaced to an adult of being molested in his childhood. Consequentialist view of bringing a crime from long ago. Justice for victims. Punishment? For retribution? Apologies? Do you initiate a formal legal proceedings or not? Cover ups in church. And in chile church.
The Case For(G&P)
- 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(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
- The case against UBI is powerful and turns on its head what Standing said.(S)
Trials of UBI
- Andy Burnham is talking about introducing basic income for the homeless of Manchester.(A)
- There is talk of a pilot in Finchley. But two years is not long enough for a trial.(ℜ)
- There are no longitudinal studies.(R)
Work Today
- Trickle-down economics don't work, but bottom-up do.(A)
- £8,000 is said to be necessary for survival.(ℜ)
- UBI will be difficult to implement. Is it a good thing to aim for?(J)
- UBI is about allowing people to make choices.(S)
- Is work still beneficial to a sense of self? Previous jobs such as mining created camaraderie.(L)
- Many firms are no longer offering internships.(L)
Taxation and Allowances
- Beveridge believed his measures would make people nicer and less stressed.(S)
- Why is administering the Winter Fuel Allowance based on pensions credit so difficult?(R)
- Means testing vs needs assessment.
- Your total income (including UBI) would be taxed.(S)
- Why is Finland so happy when it is taxed so highly?(S)
- In The Spirit Level it was stated that there are unexpected correlations, such as between the least equal societies and teenage pregnancies.(S)
- Negative Income Tax used to be a Lib Dem policy.(S)
- A carbon tax would hit the wealthiest hard e.g. via their private jets.(S)
- The trouble with consequentialism is that you do not know what the consequences will be.(L)
- The USA is more class-conscious than the UK.(R)
- But it’s all money-based.(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
- No one in the current cabinet went to private school.(L)
- We’re cutting back on education when we should be investing.(R)
- 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.(V)
- The introduction of comprehensives was the best structural change she saw during her teaching career.(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.(R)
- Arts education opportunities are diminishing.(L)
Film referenced
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