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Self Insert "People can really believe anything these days!" - Ismism This page is meant to represent LordCompost's political views. Please do not make any major edits without their permission. |
‟Through the heaven of civilization, the human being seeks to isolate himself from the world, to break its hostile power.”
– The Unique and Its Property,Max Stirner
Howdy, I'm 
LordCompost.
I am an 
Egoist, 
Pragmatist, 
Post-Civilisationist, 
Iconoclast, and 
Anti-Humanist.
I am influenced by a variety of schools, most notably by 
Post-Analytic Philosophy, 
Psychoanalysis, German 
Idealism & 
Romanticism, 
Political Nihilism, and by various 
Post-Structuralist thinkers.
Unlike what my influences describe, my thought is grounded not in Political Nihilism nor 
Egoist/Individualist Anarchism, but rather in a very broad 
philosophically anarchist interpretation of 
anti-civilization and post-civilization philosophy; seeing the subjects relation to the state as just another of the same phenomenon which underpins modern civilisation. I see 
civilisation, 
the state, 
capitalism, 
traditions, or any other 
contingent historical phenomenon, etc., as neither desirable nor regrettable; they are simply existent, and our relation to such phenomena underpins societal ills.
I see civilisation, capital, culture, ideology, etc., as part of a domesticating process through which individuals find themselves under subjectification. However, this does not create oppression by itself but rather leads to opportunities, social relations, and the possibility of fixity and ideological domination. My response to such domestication is simply the constant renegotiation of 
individuals, 
institutions, 
societies, etc., to themselves and their values through the questioning and revision of values as a form of decadence and pragmatism.
My Icons: (//
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Summary
See my Philosophy page.
Thoughts
Civics
The state is ultimately justified, or made legitimate, by individuals voluntarily 'opting' into and consenting to it. Thus, neither 
security nor 
universalism can ground the state, particularly because in either case, the state is paternalistic and opposed to the interests of its subjects. And would perhaps lead to revolt without the aid of ideology, but obviously, history shows otherwise. It is simply that the security state more often than not promotes violence, oppression, and division. While the universal state openly promotes exclusion and division.
In saying that, such a state, even if 
unilaterally and directly consensual through each individual, would in principle be a justifiable state, allowing, of course, for 
individual succession and the elimination of 
manufactured consent or 
ideology; however, such a state would also in principle be almost impossible, and certainly extremely limited in application.
Not only this, but it is historically impossible. Individuals are not 
autonomous, essentialistic, and atomistic beings. Thus, individuals are already born into a social environment with its own norms, culture, values, institutions, etc. Therefore, no individual is free from social determinism and cannot fully consent without influence. Even an ideal and fully justified state is ultimately grounded in a pre-existing social environment. A similar argument also works against 
free-market capitalism in that, while yes the state is opposed to voluntary and consensual contracts, the market already exists and forces certain contracts.[2]
However, while it is true that 
several philosophers have argued that a state grounded in individual choice and succession will ultimately undermine the state and lead to its destruction, I do not entertain the thought that the state will ever 
wither away.[3] Even a 
non-constitutional, 
unilateral direct democratic, 
republican state that autonomously and freely legislates according to a 
consensual popular collective will, would never 
perfect the population, nor 
make itself superfluous. It would remain stuck within 
politics itself and never be able to transcend this discourse.
Finally, such a state, even if it existed, would require only those individuals who were 
'interested' in such a state and its decisions; as soon as it no longer served their interests, they would succeed from the state and return to a 'state of nature' or an atomistic civil society; or more correctly, just a different social relation. Then, we would have individuals not under the authority of the state; it would be short, nasty, and brutish. This obviously paves the way for the need for a security state or a universalist state that has its subjects 'best interests' in mind, one that benefits 
citizens, or 
'humans' or 
workers, etc.
Thus, yes, my ideal state is non-constitutional, unilateral direct democratic, and republican; a state which allows individuals to freely transform values, laws, and institutions for its own purposes. But, seeing as this will never exist, simply because it cannot, I opt for a conception of philosophical anarchism in which without such direct, free, and informed consent, there can be no obligation of individuals towards the state; either they freely choose to obligate themselves, or there is no obligation.
While I do not think that any individual has an 
obligation towards the state, I do not see it as evil inherently, and I certainly do not entertain its 
abolition as a cause worth pursuing; the state, if not voluntary, is merely one institution among many that demands that you take up its cause as your own. Whether you do or do not is up to you. However, even this position is entirely name only and relates to much more than just the state, including social relations, 
the economy, norms, 
religion, etc.
Writings
Links to my Substack.
On Decline in Relation to Decadence
The Cultural Industrial Complex
Relations
CarrotsRppl2
How is 'The State and Its Property' illegitimate? If you truly held to the principle that property is individual protection, then isn't the state currently the most powerful entity that protects its property? As such, according to you, it is your perfect society already.
Bourgeoisie Destroyer
I am sure you have read something, but merely returning and subscribing to 'ancient' philosophy does not make one intelligent, nor does it advance any knowledge or let one overcome modern problems simply because thought has developed and overcome older philosophy.
Killer Kitty
Question: If politics was a net negative on your country would you overcome it and bring politics into its nullity? Or would you hold close to it and always remain bound to your highest truth? 'No,' you would say, 'politics cannot be done away with; it is necessary, it is fundamental, it is more important than us.' Liberalism, Fascism? Politics...
Kosciuszkovagr
No writings...
Xx godisfaithful xx
Your similarity to postmodern/post-anarchism with your rejection of an 'Arche' or grounding principle is fascinating. This is why I am surprised you disagree with postmodernism so much. However, in your thought, I find the assurance of human rights to be the primary ground of politics; it seems to be a slight contradiction?
HysteriaThought
It is quite strange that through all your insights and some I agree with quite earnestly, post-rationalism is a particular favourite; one then runs into your quite tame and sacred economics. Economic freedom is the same as 'religious freedom' - not freedom from the economy, but the freedom of the economy.
Anthony Bax
I am still yet to understand the existence of altruistic egoism. Where does Stirner oppose altruism? When egoists are social, supportive, associative, etc., why does this entail the conclusion that sharing is a moral ought, and that collectivisation is a sacred duty? It is alien to my will, something that can always be separated from the social ego.
StockMarketCrash
I appreciate the critique of capitalism; I, too, agree that it is a stifle of individuality and creativity. However, I do not support socialism for the same reasons. Additionally, anarchy, even as expression or lifestyle, is still a mode for me to exist within; why can I not act freely and have a me-ism? Why label it and put rules on what I can and can't do; if I idly protested and violently resisted at other times, shall I be shunned as false to the cause?
Borker
Who is the nation existing for? If it is for the nation, then it can do its own work to benefit itself; if it is for the people of that nation, then why are we supporting the nation and not the people? Additionally, if it is voluntary whether people identify with that nation, then it can hardly be said to be a universal shared value. If individuals stop identifying, they can hardly be said to oppose the nation's interests because they no longer accept the nation itself.
Weedium
You have no idea what you are talking about, do you? Also, please try to improve your writing skills.
Rocksmanylobsters
A collection is not synonymous with collectivism; one is the aggregate of individuals, or merely a multitude of them more so than a total, while the other remains an organisational principle of interests that relate individuals to a supposed shared value. In reality, individuals are connected into a 'collective' through a web of values. Ultimately, if any individual no longer valued what others valued, would you side with the individual or the multitude?
Weedman
Oppositional to religion, and yet spiritual; As a firm believer that everything is basically religion (belief), you and I are basically limited to either effective practical belief or fixed sacred belief. Is your spirituality doing anything for 'all of you', or is it prescribing rules for only parts of you? The answer to this question is yours.
Meadowsin
As I said in the comments on the insurrectionary communism page, I am yet to understand the necessity of communism, nor the denial of the proletariat for insurrection. If one wanted to constantly head to the 'what-can-be,' or in your and Stirner's words, the 'ideal,' something which, once it is here, is no longer ideal but real, and thus static, then why is the language (and theory) of the 'old-guard' still in power? Clearly, much like static fixity, reaction allows the revolution to realise itself by allowing individuals to become fully conscious of what the revolution stood for; it is a necessary step, but it is not the last step.
SkeletonJanitor
The obvious point of contention is simply that your picture of the state, economy, and even social relations is paternalistic in the traditional sense of the term. You believe, and not without justification, that the state (and not even you specifically) knows what is best for its subjects; it treats itself as the 'father'; it is paternal. Obviously, if it goes against the current grain, it is not necessary that it opposes individual interests, but it is difficult to tell without some community mechanism.
Notes
- ↑ In my opinion, consensus democracy, or a complete collective will, can only function with the addition of individual succession and in limited circumstances.
- ↑ Obviously, the choice between labour or death is the no choice at all. It has been said that one has a choice of jobs, but so too does the anarcho-capitalist have a choice of states...
- ↑ My opinion on action, and what exactly succession amounts to will come at a later point.
Comments
LordCompost - Please comment here if you have questions.