Wednesday, September 19, 2007

· How is personal freedom only achieved in a community?

From my weak understanding of Marxism, I will attempt to respond to this question. One thing for sure, I must grasp the concept of ‘personal freedom’ in relation to Marx, and how a ‘community’ can help achieve personal freedom.
Marx’s excerpts from The German Ideology depict the context in which personal freedom has existed. He states that “…personal freedom has existed only for the individuals who developed within the relationships of the ruling class (bourgeoisie), and only in so far as they were individuals of this class (p, 21). According to Marx, this is a ‘Historical fact’. This, in tern becomes an idea or a concept that through time and can be applied in a different time period, or context. For instance, if we are to answer this question through the use of two separate classes, class A and B. The scenario is set. How would class A (Proletarian) overturn Class B (Bourgeoisie), in a society ruled by Class B.?
Marx would argue that a revolution must take place. A revolution brought by Class A against B. He describes a revolution as “…contradiction of consciousness, battle of ideas or a political conflict” (p, 21). Marx would also argue that there needs to be a vehicle in which Class A can carry out a revolution. And he adds “This is not possible without the community. Only in community with others has each individual the means of cultivating his gifts in all directions; only in the community, therefore, is personal freedom possible” (p, 21). Only with the help of a community can ideas be channeled through and reached out to the masses. A community has its own vehicles such as a culture, certain religion, or other beliefs, cults and even politics. Only a community can raise the awareness of change on a collective spectrum.
Then again, the concept of ‘personal freedom’ also varies. As it pertains to Marx, this ‘awareness of change on a collective spectrum; has a lot of utilitarian subcomponents. The utilitarian approach would provide the greatest good for the greatest number. The discoveries of many communities who share a similar vision constitute the greatest good. And this discovery can ultimately create change and overthrow the other class, insofar causing a revolution, and later creating a new system of classes. Nevertheless, personal freedom has been achieved, and a new status quo is established. Through duration of time, the status quo will inevitably be disturbed as a natural phenomenon, and according to Marx, another revolution will take place.

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