Philosophy Club - Meeting Oct 28: What is Socialism?

Philosophy Club - Meeting Oct 28: What is Socialism?

Arguably "socialism" is one of the most hotly contested political philosophies of all time Theoretical contributions to socialism have come from Feminists, Anarchists, Marxists, Communists, Anti-Fascists, Democrats, in addition to many others. These contributions have come from nearly every corner of the global and have nearly always been focused on the rights and struggles of oppressed and underprivileged people. The Socialist tradition is a vehement opponent of capitalism. As the great Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm so aptly put it, "If people don't have any ideal of a better world then they have lost something. If the only ideal for men and women is the pursuit of personal happiness through the attainment of material assets, then humanity is a diminished species.?" We will attempt to gain some clarity regarding the Socialist position and in turn we will ask whether or not a free Socialist world is possible.