Philosophical Societies Journal
Philosophy is a discipline that guides the manner of articulation and defense of beliefs and ideas with the aid of reason (Solomon, 2010). Philosophy advances various theories that seek to enlarge the views and knowledge that we hold regarding specific components of the societies we live in. Multiple philosophers have endeavored to set out different perspectives using justifiable reasoning regarding how believes and ideas. In the world today, communities are guided by various philosophical viewpoints embodied within philosophical theories. Marxist society, Cartesian society, and Platonic society are some of the communities that are defined by assumptions and ideas of philosophical theories.
A Marxist society is a type of community that does not welcome inequalities in terms of class. It is characterized by the collaboration of the working class to critic the ruling class to achieve social equity. Marxist society is founded based on Marxism. Marxism is a social, political, and economic theory that was steered by Karl Marx to understand how capitalist societies function, who it favors, and who suffers from its existence. Specifically, he based his theory on two main classes; the capitalists who owned productive resources and the workers who have no choice but to work for survival (Ollman, 2020).
Therefore, a Marxist society is characterized by the presence of two distinct classes. These classes are primarily defined by their relation to the productive processes and functions. The interests of the ruling class are deeply rooted in the acquisition of power and expansion of profits. On the other hand, the working class’s interests lie in the realization of higher wages, safe working conditions, and job security (Ollman, 2020). The struggle that ensues within the Marxist society is set upon the urge to promote the underlying incompatible interests that are at the expense of each other. For one class to achieve its interests, the other has to sacrifice some of its desires.
The classes in a Marxist society live in constant conflict in pursuit of their specific interests. I find the high numbers of the working class and their experience of cooperation acquired from work to be the most excellent tool that is used against the ruling class. On the other hand, the ruling class approaches the battle with their immense wealth, control over the state, and their influence over social institutions such as learning institutions and the media, which they use in the distortion and manipulation of how other members of the society think. Marxist society emerges from the growth of urban centers, population, technology, and trade with few members of the society controlling the essential resources. A ruling class emerges from this situation as they seek to incur profits from the advantages that they possess. The increasing need in production, especially in technology, forces the working class to emerge and sell their labor power in a bid to gain wages that they may use to enjoy some of the necessary resources for survival.
I find the self-organization exhibited in a Marxist society to make sense. Both classes rely on each other for survival in society. The ruling class builds on the working class to fully exploit their resources and grow their wealth, whereas the working class relies on the ruling class for employment necessary for their survival. Moreover, the working class is a significant factor of production, which is essential for the continued production of consumer goods. Furthermore, the battle between two classes paves the way for a progressive society. The existing interests establish a class struggle that keeps every member of the society focused on achieving their desires. The constant plot of new ways and strategies to realize specific benefit by both the ruling and working class sets the pace for development within the society, which is a vital factor to survival in the world today. Also, this sort of society presents a chance for individual advancement materially and personally. The working class may grow their skill set as factors of production and demand for better compensation regarding their input. Also, the working class can use their skill set to flourish and gradually rise in social status as experts in their field of practice. Further, this promotes the efforts towards the realization of social equity.
The drawback that faces a Marxist society is a broadening wealth-gap. Since it is characterized by a ruling class with immense control over resources, they have a more exceptional ability to incur enormous profits and accumulate their wealth further. On the other hand, the wages of the working class are often low and are rarely raised. Moreover, Marxist society encourages the popular idea that the rich get richer. An irrational capitalist system in a Marxist society is significantly possible, whereby there is increased unemployment, poverty, and inadequate quality health care. Such a situation would make the working class suffer immensely in society. The capitalist system that defines the society favors corporations and compromises the ability of workers to flourish. The increasing population of the working class means that there is a growing supply of production workforce, and due to the existing competition for the limited opportunities, the ruling class takes it as a chance to exploit labor cheaply to aid their profit interests.
A Cartesian society is another philosophical society based on the philosophy of Descartes. The Cartesian organization is founded based on Cartesianism, which calls for absolute certainty and acceptance of what is believed to be true though indubitable prove (Skirry, n.d). A Cartesian society is driven by perfection. People only consider the reality of being beliefs that can be determined without question. In this society, whatever we believe in should be clear and distinct ideas that do not bear any elements of doubt. In this society, people are perfectionists and slow to trust new information or views. People speak cautiously, keen not to make any comments that they do not have absolute knowledge of.
The Cartesian society justifies itself through the philosophical argument that God exists and has all perfections. This society believes that God does not have any imperfections; hence he cannot deceive. The manner of self-organization of this society makes sense as it seeks to avoid human errors arising from doubtful truths or unclear perceptions of reality. The society views human beings as the cause of their mistakes due to the incorrect use of judgment abilities hence necessitating the incorporation of rational proofs as a characteristic of truths or knowledge. Unequivocal and clear evidence of an idea would prevent the occurrence of any human errors, which is typical. Further, this society argues that the understanding of God’s existence is a requirement for any absolutely certain knowledge (Skirry, n.d).
The most significant advantage of Cartesian society is reduced deception and human error. This society has normalized basing their knowledge on solid proof; therefore, any ideas presented are well-informed. There is an excellent level of trust that is achieved in this society. This is due to the presentation and consumption of clear and distinct ideas. In this society, it is impossible to spread rumors or unbacked claims which could be used to instigate conflict among society members. Further, the credibility and validity of information by the media are achieved, and people can put their absolute trust on media sources due to the normalization of the use of clear and distinct ideas to define the truth or knowledge. It is tough to deceive the people in this society. Therefore, there is a minimal materialistic loss, which is often facilitated through deception in other communities.
Various drawbacks may affect the viability of a Cartesian society. A significant problematic factor that may face this society is immunity to new ideas. People may be extremely critical of new ideas due to the unavailability of solid proof to back them up. This aspect causes a reduced ability in the exploitation of new opportunities that are presented within the ideas. I find it highly unlikely for entrepreneurship to flourish in such an environment. Entrepreneurship is encouraged in an environment that promotes the conception of new ideas and innovations as well as a great risk. The risk involved violates clear and distinct ideas that guide the philosophical approach of a Cartesian society. The unwelcoming attitude to new ideas compromises the ability of the inhabitants to progress and transition into new forms of viable knowledge.
Furthermore, I find the philosophical approaches in a Cartesian society to favor religious institutions highly. Religions such as Christianity and Islam already have pre-existing ideas and beliefs that are believed to be accurate. Critical insights and concepts targeting the viability of these religions would be highly questionable due to the unavailability of indubitable proof. The philosophical conceptions guiding this society also encourages critical aspects in learning institutions. Learning is encouraged immensely as ideas are based on certainty. Concretely, this society favors the development of specific scientific knowledge vital for human advancement. Therefore, the philosophy’s shortcoming remains to be its inability to accept new ideas that do not have adequate proof. As indicated, this aspect would discourage progress among the people as well as entrepreneurship, which is characterized by exceptional levels of uncertainty.
The other philosophical society is a Platonic society that is centered on the philosophies of Plato. The greatest concern in this society is scrutinizing assumptions regarding people and society. The community also ventures to attain exhaustive philosophical knowledge of what is good. Plato’s philosophical theories attempted to identify the ultimate substance of the universe, establish an understanding of what was eternal and unchanging, contextualize change, and illustrate that the universe as a whole is intelligible of human understanding (Solomon, 2010). A Platonic society seeks to build reason and create an understanding of the world. The society believes in a world of eternal truths which is characterized by two worlds. The society holds a two-worlds view whereby the world that we live in is a world of constant change, and also there is an unchanging world which is the world of Being.
Members of the Platonic society are extremely inquisitive. They constantly seek to explore and critic what is regarded as the norm. Members of this society are active seekers of knowledge rather than information. They go further beyond observation and experience to in-depth thinking to access the understanding of reality. The self-organization of this society is based on the exclusive falling in love with Plutonic Forms, such as ideals that characterize human perfection, including wisdom, justice, beauty, and goodness (Solomon, 2010). The current justice is based on the idea that everyone acts and is treated accordingly. This society takes a keen value on the specific defining factors of something other than the contemporary popular beliefs and opinions.
A Platonic society creates an environment where the reality of specific things can be appreciated fully. It turns the stone on every aspect while seeking to establish a clear defining factor of an element in society. Platonic society presents a great platform for flourishment as it guides the presentation of issues that could be regarded as normal. Further, this society encourages out-of-the-box thinking, which is critical for knowledge advancement of the members. The philosophical point of view to not rely on observation and experience regarding certain aspects but to critically think about what defines them is a vital aspect that encourages materialistic, social, and personal flourishment. A Platonic society fosters the emergence of scholars. The society promotes the use of reason and critical thinking of components to establish an essential argumentative point and create a strong elaborative basis of knowledge regarding the perceived reality.
My community is a Marxist society. The philosophical perspectives of Marxism are what defines the self-organization of my community. This is particularly steered by the modern world demands that necessitate for income. Two major classes are the ruling class and the working class in the community. The system is structured in a manner in which the larger population seeks education only to graduate and struggle to secure employment. The desire for high-income and job security is a defining factor in survival. The ruling class makes up the minority, but it is the group with the largest control over essential resources. Furthermore, this encourages the widening of the wealth gap between the two classes. The community is used to the capitalistic environment, which is characterized by the wealthy growing their wealth while poverty and homelessness lavish in the working class. There is no diversity in philosophical opinion due to the current overwhelming interests of both the capitalists and workers hence limiting the exploration of other philosophical accounts.
Various ways exist by which my community can benefit from the positive aspects of philosophical societies. Reason and thinking, as practiced in a Platonic society, could be an immense benefit to my community. The incorporation of reason among the ruling and working classes can potentially result in the advancement of structures that reduce social inequality. The existence of two extremes is irrational; hence it is necessary to reflect on the forms of justice, wisdom, and goodness as discussed in Platonism. Currently, no justice or goodness is practiced by the ruling class to the rest of society. The application of philosophical approaches practiced in a plutonic community would be vital in bridging the extreme social divide. Further, this will encourage development immensely as there will be more productive members of society.
Also, my community can borrow philosophical applications in a Cartesian society. This society functions on perfection and clear and distinct ideas that serve as knowledge of reality. Reduced deception and minimized human error can serve my community significantly, especially regarding the aspect of exploitation of the working class by the capitalists. Furthermore, the numerous human mistakes that exist in the system especially regarding the tolerance to low wages and poor political choices can be rectified by implementing the philosophical approach of the Cartesian society. It encourages the proper utilization of judgment abilities that is presented to all humans.
Moreover, clear and distinct ideas would prevent the political manipulation of the working class by the ruling class. The ruling class uses their wealth to distort the political systems. They undertake huge determinations of who they want in political offices. This results in baseless promises by political leaders with claims that they have the best interest of the citizens at heart. By demanding for clear and indubitable proof of their commitment, the working class can be able to use their power of numbers to elect political leaders who genuinely seek to serve the population and not specific classes. Each of these societies has positive components that can help build appropriate human coexistence, and also certain drawbacks exist that potentially can prevent the flourishing of various positive aspects of life.