Difference between revisions of "Michael's Projects"
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There is a basic human tendancy to form groups, and to perceive the world as divided into those who belong to one's own group and those who are outsiders. During the neolithic this group was the tribe. With the invention of agriculture human society fragmented into a system of classes and castes, each defending its own interests. Modern representative democracy was formed in reaction against such systems of hereditary priviledge, introducing a notion of citizenship based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equality equality]. Thus the [http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr Universal Declaration of Human Rights] refers to the "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family." | There is a basic human tendancy to form groups, and to perceive the world as divided into those who belong to one's own group and those who are outsiders. During the neolithic this group was the tribe. With the invention of agriculture human society fragmented into a system of classes and castes, each defending its own interests. Modern representative democracy was formed in reaction against such systems of hereditary priviledge, introducing a notion of citizenship based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equality equality]. Thus the [http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr Universal Declaration of Human Rights] refers to the "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family." | ||
| − | But despite the general acceptation of the principle [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equality_before_the_law equality before the law], contemporary society is | + | But despite the general acceptation of the principle [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equality_before_the_law equality before the law], contemporary society is characterized by a high degree of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_inequality social inequality] coupled with an obsessive regard for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_status social status]. Its fundamental ideology is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_darwinism Social Darwinism] which sees competition as the main driver of social evolution. This ideal of relentless competition is promoted both in corporate culture and on reality TV (the latter being the reflection of the former). This culture of exclusion is reinforced by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elitism elitism], the belief that a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities and specialized training are more apt to understand situations and therefore to make decisions for others. As mentioned above, Ivan Illich wanted to counter elitism by strengthening the aptitudes of ordinary citizens - which is a constructive way to counter exclusion. |
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| − | Ivan Illich | + | |
[[Category:Projects]] | [[Category:Projects]] | ||
