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Single Idea 21993
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 9. Communism
]
Full Idea
The materialist conception of history tells us that human beings are totally subject to forces they do not understand and control.
Gist of Idea
Materialist history says we are subject to incomprehensible forces
Source
Peter Singer (Marx [1980], 6)
Book Ref
Singer,Peter: 'Marx' [OUP 1996], p.34
A Reaction
How does Marx know the forces? An exceptionally influential idea, because it is a modern commonplace that we have very little control over our own lives (apart from right wingers asserting that 'you can have anything if you really really want it').
The
16 ideas
from Peter Singer
21993
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Materialist history says we are subject to incomprehensible forces
[Singer]
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21997
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In Marxism the state will be superseded
[Singer]
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20276
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Conflict of rules might be avoided by greater complexity, or by a hierarchy of rules
[Singer]
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20278
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'Marginal utility' says something is more useful if it is in short supply
[Singer]
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20277
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Equality of interests is a minimal principle, not implying equal treatment
[Singer]
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20279
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Equality of opportunity unfairly rewards those lucky enough to have great ability
[Singer]
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20281
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Why should I do anything for posterity? What has posterity ever done for me?
[Singer]
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20282
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The sanctity of a human life depends either on being of our species, or on being a person
[Singer]
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20283
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Killing a chimp is worse than killing a human too defective to be a person
[Singer]
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20284
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Why should a potential person have the rights of an actual person?
[Singer]
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20285
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If a right entails having the relevant desire, many creatures might have no right to life
[Singer]
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20287
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If 49% of the population can be wrong, so can 51%
[Singer]
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20286
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Following an inner voice for morality is irresponsible in a rational agent
[Singer]
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20288
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You can't condemn violent revolution without assessing the evils it prevents
[Singer]
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20290
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Psychopaths may just be bored, because they cannot participate in normal emotional life
[Singer]
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20289
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Ethics is universalisable - it must involve an impartial and universal view of things
[Singer]
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