|Peter Boettke|
In a seminar he taught on Social Philosophy, Dr. King asked the students on the final exam the following questions:
(1) There is implicit in the teachings of Adam Smith and Karl Marx a theory of human nature. Point out what that theory is in each and show how it affects the social theory of each man.
(2) Marx may be called a child of the enlightenment. Discuss his theory of society in light of this.
(3) Would Smith or Marx or both support the non-violent theory of social change? Explain.
How would you answer those questions?
Important questions!
Smith held to the traditional Christian view of original sin: people are born with a tendency toward evil. Individual choices determine one's character and individual character determines society.
Marx held to the enlightenment, atheistic view that people are born innocent and turn evil only because of oppression. Private property is the greatest oppressor. Society can restore mankind to a state of innocence by removing oppression. Society determines individual character.
The USSR and China under Mao were experiments in changing human nature.
Posted by: Roger McKinney | September 02, 2013 at 08:14 PM
I have posted related thoughts on MLK's speech here: http://trotskyschildren.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-dream-50-years-on.html
Also about the Greensboro Four.
Posted by: D | September 02, 2013 at 08:36 PM