Care for an Embrace?

Jeder nach seinen Fähigkeiten, jedem nach seinen Bedürfnissen.

~ Karl Marx ~

We know the concept, in English, as “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” The concept suggests a philosophy in support of free access to—and distribution of—goods, capital and services. Despite the association of the concept with a failed social movement (communism), it is far more complex than many of us might imagine. In a quick brush-up on my knowledge of Karl Marx and the development of his ideas, I was surprised to re-learn of his earlier intense interest in Christianity. I re-learned, as well, of his initial rejection of the philosophies espoused by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel to an embrace of Hegel’s ideas; and then a repeat of the cycle. My very brief and superficial refresher today on Karl Marx, his development, and the philosophies we associate with him led me back to where I started with respect to Karl Marx: I think he was a brilliant, if flawed, idealist whose ideas still have enormous merit as potential springboards for “a more perfect” society some time in the future. If, indeed, humanity has a future where opportunities to advance await us.

I had forgotten (if, indeed, I had ever known) that Marx had advocated for a somewhat gradual transformation from capitalism (and other economic frameworks) to communism. Marx seems, to me, to have been skeptical that members of the proletariat had the ability to make the transition without a significant period of  intellectual development. With the exception of the occasional sociology course, I learned little concrete detail in school about Marx and his evolution. Though the philosophies of Marx and Friedrich Engels were flawed in numerous ways, what I know of the concepts that prompted the development of their philosophies makes me believe both men were devoted humanists. They were idealists, as every philosopher is in his or her own way; as far as I can see, their motives generally were pure. They wanted a better society across all humankind. They recognized the fact that achieving such an ideal was not an overnight endeavor, but would be the results of a long-term struggle. While I think the significant flaws in Marx’s philosophies are apparent as I view them from my role as an armchair quarterback with the gift of hindsight, I think Marx’s utopian visions were well-intended. But we tend to demonize people who oppose our world view; even people whose opposition to our world view might have been based on compassion and hope. And a better understanding of our world view than we, ourselves, possess.

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I do not have the discipline to do more than skate across the surface of ideas I find appealing. I could have delved far deeper into Marx this morning. I could have chosen to begin a week-long or month-long exploration into his philosophies and his experiences leading to their development. But I got tired; sidetracked. I lost a little interest; I still have an interest, but not enough to prolong my investigation. I think I have ADD. And I have something else. I have a much higher than “normal” level of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in my blood. I learned this just this morning, when I opened my patient portal to view the results of some blood work I had done yesterday. My triglycerides were high, as well, as they usually are. But my Brain Natriuretic Peptide level was more than double the highest “normal” level. That was a shocker. Although the only other time I had a measure of my Brain Natriuretic Peptide taken, last October, the level was considerably higher than it was yesterday. I did not even pay heed to it last time. But this time I did. And I searched to find the meaning of my higher-than-normal level. What I found was rather scary. According to medicineplus.gov, “BNP levels go up when the heart cannot pump the way it should. A result greater than 100 pg/mL is abnormal. The higher the number, the more likely heart failure is present and the more severe it is.” And, according to an article by the National Institutes for Health, in reporting a BNP study, “The survival rate for 7 years was 89.43% for the group with BNP>100 ng/L while it was only 23.53% for the group with BNP>1000 ng/L.” Self-diagnosis on the basis of articles found in a Google search probably is not especially wise. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor tomorrow; I will wait to make “final arrangements” until I hear his take on the matter. Though I’m willing to bet he will refer me to my cardiologist for further  assessment.

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I just got a call from the guy who we have hired to fix some oddities in doors and door openings at our new house. I had come concerns about what he had in mind for modifications, but he convinced me that his work will actually improve the appearance of the doors/openings, rather than exacerbate the strange appearance of some of them. I told him to go ahead and do his thing. You have to put your trust in people who know what they are doing; if I were to attempt to do what I have asked him to do, I would almost certainly do irreparable damage to the doorways.

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After a bit, I’ll head over to the new house to see what mischief I can get into. I’ll wait to do any additional painting until the dust has cleared, which may be a few days. But there’s more to do. Lots. More. To. Do.

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Off to tackle another day. Or, perhaps I should embrace it. Days react better when embraced than when tackled.

About John Swinburn

"Love not what you are but what you may become."― Miguel de Cervantes
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