Reading summary — Q4 2017
My reading has slowed down for the past few months, I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve already reached my goal of 12 books for the year, life has gotten in the way, or I’ve kinda just gotten bored of the topics I’m reading seeing how I’ve become a bit more active in my politics.
With this, it seems less likely that I will meet my amended goal of 17 books by the end of the year as I just start my 13th book.
Anyway, the last three books I’ve read were extremely interesting and I would strongly recommend them all! Here are some of my thoughts.
Book 1: On Liberty — John Stuart Mill
On Liberty made it to my top 10 list for good reason, it perfectly captures the spirit of classic liberalism.
At 187 pages, it elaborately discusses personal rights, making the case against ‘social tyranny’ and government overreach. Through this, Mill moves individualism into a sacred class, proclaiming that it can be the only driving force for society and governance.
There are three key concept of the book that I’d like to highlight.
The first, is the refutation of the idea of social responsibility. We have no right to limit exposure to other ideas because of a fear that they may influence us or our those around us in a way that we don’t approve off. This is built on Mill’s central argument that all views we hold are preferences and not infallible truths.
“The practical principle which guides them [individuals] to their opinions on the regulation of human conduct, is the feeling in each person’s mind that everybody should be required to act as he, and those with whom he sympathises, would like them to act.
The second, is the unwavering defense of freedom of speech, especially around ideas that we find immoral or distrustful. Mill argued that it is twice important for those ideas to be heard as without them we would be quick to forget what our own
“ He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side; if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion.”
Finally, Mill makes a strong motion towards the role of passion within the individual. He argues that as individuals we cannot turn a blind eye to the role of our emotions. This is an important shift away from the typical over reliance on “rationalism”, something which I have written on extensively here leaning on some of Mill’s arguments.
Some trivia: On Liberty was published a year following the death of Mill’s wife, who he credits for most of the ideas it contains. Mill wanted to highlight this influence so much that no editorial changes were made to the book across its 6 editions. Mill explain this in his autobiography by saying: “I have made no alteration or addition to it, nor shall I ever. Though it wants the last touch of her hand, no substitute for that touch shall ever be attempted by mine.”
The book also contains this dedication.
“To the beloved and deplored memory of her who was the inspirer, and in part the author, of all that is best in my writings- the friend and wife whose exalted sense of truth and right was my strongest incitement, and whose approbation was my chief reward — I dedicate this volume. Like all that I have written for many years, it belongs as much to her as to me; but the work as it stands has had, in a very insufficient degree, the inestimable advantage of her revision; some of the most important portions having been reserved for a more careful re-examination, which they are now never destined to receive. Were I but capable of interpreting to the world one half the great thoughts and noble feelings which are buried in her grave, I should be the medium of a greater benefit to it, than is ever likely to arise from anything that I can write, unprompted and unassisted by her all but unrivalled wisdom.”
Verdict: Must read
Book 2: Utopia — Sir Thomas More
Utopia is one of those fiction book that are considered more of a political philosophy book, not too dissimilar to Plato’s The Republic (which I have reviewed here) — and actually leans on dialogue to convey its messages.
At 85 pages, it provides a quick and easy read and is presented in two parts structured around a traveller telling his story of the island of utopia and their customs.
The first part of the book revolves around a discussion which sets to prove how impossible it would be to integrate the learning of Utopia in current European structures of power. This sets up the premise that the practices of Utopia are superior to the current practices found on the European continent.
The second part, focuses on the systems and customs of the island of Utopia as told by the traveler. Through this we are exposed to the islands moral ideas, their living and work habits, use of money, social hierarchy, religion, use of slaves, and outlook on war.
Ironically, the book presents a bit of a paradox in its critique. The first section of it is dedicated to the social pressures that make it difficult for objective critical evaluation. Yet, through the description of Utopia, it is reveled that the power structures that create its egalitarian and communal society are maintained by nothing more than an authoritarian drive towards custom through social and moral indoctrination. Begging the question, is one form of authoritarianism better than the other?
Verdict: This is an easy enough read, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a read copy.
Fun fact: Utopia is actually Latin for “nowhere”
Book 3: Reform or Revolution — Rosa Luxemburg
Reform or Revolution is seen as a mainstay of Marxist reading. In the 73 page long essay, written in response to an article written by Eduard Bernstein titled “Problems of Socialism”, Rosa Luxembourg, who was executed by the German government for her revolutionary activities, writes a comprehensive rebuttal to the notion of neo-Marxist (reformist) ideas that propose adjustments to the the capitalist system will lead to socialist goals.
Through the text, Luxembourg explores the roles of unions, political parties, and recent market developments, such as credit, and where they stand in relation to the revolutionary core of Marxism. Through her analysis she comes to the conclusion that there is no alternative to a revolutionary uprising, and that market changes will do nothing but prolong capitalism and are limited to resisting its negative effects meaning that reform can never lead to change.
This leads to a key differentiation when it comes to the participation of socialists in current modes of governments and economy, in that they must only be pursued to the extent that they are useful to building a revolutionary appetite.
Key concepts of the text include the importance of democracy to the revolutionary movement, how important it is to systematically tear down opposing ideas by exposing them as empty, and the differentiation between businesses run for personal gain and shareholder corporations.
Some quotes I enjoyed:
“ It was enough for opportunism to speak out to prove it had nothing to say.”
“ If democracy has become superfluous or annoying to the bourgeoisie, it is on the contrary necessary and indispensable to the working class. It is necessary to the working class because it creates the political forms (autonomous administration, electoral rights, etc.) which will serve the proletariat as fulcrums in its task of transforming bourgeois society. Democracy is indispensable to the working class because only through the exercise of its democratic rights, in the struggle for democracy, can the proletariat become aware of its class interests and its historic task.”
On shareholding: “Consequently, the economic notion of “capitalist” no longer signifies an isolated individual. The industrial capitalist of today is a collective person composed of hundreds and even of thousands of individuals. The category “capitalist” has itself become a social category. It has become “socialised” — within the frame-work of capitalist society.”
Verdict: Must read.
Next on my list:
- State and Revolution — V.I. Lenin
- Anarchism — Daniel Guérin
- The Philosophy of History — GWF Hegel
Want more book reviews? go through my Q3, Q2, and Q1 reviews.
All these books can be found online: On Liberty, Utopia, Reform and Revolution
