[A-List] electronics and value

[Bob Enoch]

Historical materialism

The basis of this "science of society" is historical materialism. Marxism builds on the philosophic principles of materialism  that the universe is "by its very nature material," it exists independent of consciousness. The universe is not the embodiment of a "universal spirit," or the construction of a subjective observer. The universe is objective, knowable, and law-governed. "Matter is not the product of mind, but mind itself is merely the highest product of matter."

----------
This little catechism would actually amuse much of modern science, which is finding the dividing-line between matter and consciousness a bit elusive.

When Marx learned his physics, Newton was the teacher.
Newtons' universe was mechanical, law abiding;
the right cosmology for the battle with the Churches of Europe.

Today however, physics is into"string theory",which posits multiple dimensions in the universe, "dark matter" theory, which tells us that over 95% of universal matter is invisible, and we know nothing directly about it, and now "dark energy" as well......

Far from being "scientific", Materialism in the fundamentalist terms quoted above is a Eurocentric religious faith , born of that essential struggle against Christianity 150 years ago, in which Marx was a important figure.
In that context it was progressive, a radical break with obscurantism...and consistent with modern science.

But,science has moved on.
And ideological assertions about the nature of  light, matter, energy and consciousness which are not based on compelling evidence are of no more value in the mouth of a Party than that of a Pope.

Bob








-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: text/html
Size: 3210 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://greenhouse.economics.utah.edu/pipermail/a-list/attachments/20021216/9f2f1cbd/attachment.txt>