This review has been sparked by the comments section of Amith’s review on the movie “Braveheart” (https://mouthshut.com/readreview/27103-1.html) and has nothing to do with the subject matter. It started as a comment, but grew too big to fit in the limited space and so has to be accommodated here. The only connection between Stephan Hawking’s book and my reviews is some aspect of quantum physics that I will briefly touch upon to explain my defense of Anarchism. (Avoid rating if it goes against your…whatever, but do leave your comments)
To understand Anarchism, first we need to define what is anarchy. Anarchy can be defined in two ways, negative and positive – Chaos or absence of established order. Unfortunately most people see anarchy in a negative manner i.e chaos and are afraid of it. Anarchy is chaos, but not necessarily the kind of chaos that we think of - complete disorder.
OK, let me explain this from a scientific point of view. For those who keep in touch with latest discoveries in quantum physics, know about the uncertainty principle. This principle implies that there are only probabilities in universe and nothing can be sure and nothing is predictable. Quantum science has thrown the scientific world into “chaos” as till recently the laws of physics – like gravity, electro-magnetism etc were supposed to be “exact” irrefutable laws of the universe. But quantum science challenges every notion and theory of science. And yet we see so much order in the universe. The earth completes its rotation in exactly 24 hours and revolution in 365 + 6 hours year after year. When we leave our homes every morning and come back every evening, we find that our houses are still in the same place and have not collapsed due to some electrons inside the atoms behaving in an unpredictable manner.
What is behind this order in a chaotic universe? The answer is intelligence. Deepak Chopra explains in his books, how every single cell of the body has its own intelligence. The same principle applies to every particle in the Universe. Intelligence pervades everything – every atom, particle & wave and keeps the Universe functioning instead of breaking down into chaos and disorder. The majestic beauty of the nature is due to the inherent intelligence of all matter. There is a wonderful site, where water is photographed microscopically - https://wellnessgoods.com/art_wat_messages.html
Visit this page to see the beautiful crystal clear structure of the water molecules extracted from spring waters and pure water lakes. The same water loses its beauty when it is exposed to unpleasant sounds or to pollution. The point I am trying to make is that beauty is intrinsic in every part of matter and the natural state of all matter is beautiful symmetry and harmony. If non-conscious matter possesses such incredible beauty and harmony, isn’t it silly to assume that human beings, which are the most divine, creative and intelligent aspects of the universe are incapable of manifesting this beauty and living in harmony with everyone.
The general argument against anarchy is that humans are selfish and in survival mode and as such anarchy would result in the aggravation of these tendencies. First of all, isn’t it strange we speak with pride about belonging to the 21st century and yet feel no shame that we are still in “survival” mode? What is the purpose of all the progress, if we are still no better than lowly animals of the jungle or fish of the sea, that need to feed upon each other to survive? We talk of earth as being one big global family. Yet what kind of family is this in which small section of the people revels in luxury, while the majority are forced to feed on the scalpels from the ground. Even the most dysfunctional families of the world do not function in such a dysfunctional manner.
Why anarchy is better than established order? What has order resulted in? Through order, a small section of the population has systematically taken over the resources of the earth and the majority has become dependent on this minority. Order has meant that people have handed over self-responsibility to the ruling minority. If Armageddon was to happen tomorrow, most of us would not be able to survive in the aftermath. We don’t know how to grow food, how to harvest water or how to make shelter. We know how to write complicated computer programs and build sophisticated gadgets, but none of these skills would be useful if a huge asteroid would to hit earth and cause large-scale destruction. We have created a society where everyone is dependent upon the skills of others for bare necessities of life, instead of creating a society of self-sufficiency. Without self-sufficiency, we have become manipulator’s dream. We have become dependent on our governments and big business for our survival and such allow them to manipulate us in whichever way they want us to.
In a world without established order, we would learn how to function at a local community level. We would learn how to be self-responsible and not be wasteful. Look at what the established order has resulted in – a lunatic in white house can take the world towards World War III and we can do nothing about it. In short, power and authority corrupts. Anarchy is not disorder, but reclaiming our own power. Anarchy means freedom, freedom to think for oneself and decide for oneself. In a world, where every person goes by his own rules, there would be no option but responsible behavior or danger of extinction.
Now coming to the other portion of the debate – how can human beings if left to grow spontaneously will be inherently kind and compassionate? Again the answer lies in “quantum science” Human beings are not born selfish and cruel. The natural state of every cell of human body is intrinsically beautiful and intelligent. If we were to exist in our natural state, be would live intelligently, creatively and in harmony. The trouble is humanity has been polluted, it has been polluted by religion, by false monetary structures, by false belief systems, by artificial shortages created by the manipulators, by power politics, all of which have come due to our habit of shifting self-responsibility to some “authority”
The solution to the problems of humanity doesn’t lie in creating more order, more structures of authority and more discipline and regulation, but in removing the pollution from its mind and soul, pollution of all the artificial structures that humanity has been saddled with. Once these pollutants are removed and the original purity is restored, humans would be able to grow spontaneously in a kind, compassionate and self-responsible manner.