Notebook

From Jack's Notebook:

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How did a small group of human beings have the good fortune to be born into a situation characterized by relations of t he capitalistic sort? I think it is a good fortune since to be born into such a society, because it is to have freedom - I think it comes down to being essentially the freedom to obtain the job of one's choice. That is the crucial freedom. And also, to be able to vote.

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The way in which all of these things hang together has to do with sociality, a subject which, in turn, is almost ignored, which is one of the weird things about our hyperactive American capitalism. Nevertheless, in academe there has to be "social thought," if only because it is there in history, and scholars tend to be international, not confined to the particulars of teh American experience. So, the issue of the "social" comes up in "social" thought and where this discipline belongs relates to the issue of sociality vs. individuality.
     Which, in turn, brings us back around to the peculiar American reticence to discuss the issue of sociality. Although rare, it is possible for the philosopher to decide issues econcerning sociality and individuality in favor of sociality.
     For those that think that way, value is placed on people being together.

(both written sometime in the last six months of so) (note: in early June of this year I looked at these two "notes" and recast the whole deal)