Let's Take Stock

of the pointedly oppressive philosophies we have so far examined (Plato, Hobbes, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx) as we edge toward the golden era of totalitarianism, war, and genocide: the realization of philosophers' dreams: the 20th c. The idea of collective identities (general wills and leviathans, and nations, races, classes, and their incoherent juxtapositions and totalitarian implications) have proven especially conspicuous.
episode 7

[@squatch545]

"Food processed into a human borscht"? lol... I like that turn of phrase.

[@JTL2884]

Where do you rank Epicurus in this totalitarian trend? How bout Rorty? Is he really anti authoritarian on your view?

[@crispytheok]

Epicurus! Hmmm, haven't thought about it yet. Stoics would counsel acquiescence, but maybe not insist on dictatorial authority? Rorty is an "anti-authoritarian" in that he rejects truth, reality, the world, as some sort of ultimate authorization for opinions. He's not a political authoritarian, of course, but also not exactly a political anti-authoritarian. I think "Achieving Our Country" way anticipates woke, and suggests various forms of speech repression. I argued with him about that to some extent. Definitely will not be doing an episode on him or ragging him as a totalitarian, though.