[P. J.] [RU] [FR]

Struggle for Life

The biological mechanisms of evolution are often extrapolated to the development of society. Of course, such extrapolation may well be valid when the animal-like behavior of people is considered, that is, when their subjectivity is ignored. Since the overall level of human development has not yet advanced too far from the animal, one can readily find the social parallels for most biological phenomena. One of the evident traces of animal origin is struggle for life, which has been put forth by many defenders of capitalism as the governing principle of social development and human life in general.

As soon as we come to understanding the difference between inanimate motion, organic metabolism and conscious activity as the three fundamental levels of reality, it becomes obvious that any specifically human development must be governed by the principles different from those characteristic of the biological or physical reality, retaining them as a necessary background. Consequently, any manifestation of struggle for life should be treated as an indication of underdevelopment, lack of consciousness, rather than a normal social phenomenon. Truly human behavior implies the importance of absolute biological equality of all the members of the society, so that the survivability of an individual is essentially the same as the survivability of the whole community. The weak and shy are as (and in many cases more) important for the development of reason as the strong and arrogant. Physical immobility and other organic peculiarities should in no way be an obstacle for efficient activity, and the difference in mental attitudes has nothing to do with one's social value.

One could logically conjecture that a truly human society should be based on universal cooperation, eliminating any competition, any struggle for life. Individual life is an indispensable part of social life in general, and, in the world of reason, there will be no conflicts between individuals or social groups, and no contradictions between an individual and the society.


[Assorted Notes] [Unism]