The Metaphysics of Cooperation presents the intellectual achievements of the Polish associative socialist and pioneer of social sciences, Edward Abramowski.
The volume is divided into five sections, each of them containing an analysis of the Polish philosopher's work according to the issues he dealt with: sociology, ethics, politics, cooperativism, and psychology. Each part also contains a selection of his writings. The intention is to show Abramowski's works in the context of global intellectual history and bring them into conversation with current political debates.
Abramowski makes fraternity or cooperation the main concepts of his social metaphysics. The Polish version of cooperativism can be inspiring both for contemporary researchers and political activists in post-economic-crisis Europe. It also opens up a space for creating more democratic political and economic institutions.
Edward Abramowski (1868-1918) was a Polish philosopher, pioneer of psychology and theorist of the socialist cooperative movement.
Cezary Rudnicki is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and the author of several articles on contemporary continental philosophy and a book Ethics Against Morality. Foucauldian Studies of Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.
Publication date: August 6, 2024
Acknowledgments
Notes on Contributors
A Notes from the Editors
Bibliographical Note
Introduction
Bartłomiej Błesznowski, Cezary Rudnicki
Part i
Sociology
Sociology of Associations Edward Abramowski between Socialism and Sociological Theory
Bartłomiej Błesznowski
Edward Abramowski’s Writings
Issues of Socialism
I The Principle of Social Phenomenon
ii The Sociological Issues
Individual Elements in Sociology
Socialism and the State
ii The Doctrine of the Revolution
Part ii
Ethics
The Metamorphoses of Subjectivity, the Transitions of the Social The Ethics of Edward Abramowski
Cezary Rudnicki
Edward Abramowski’s Writings
Ethics and Revolution
Friendship Unions i
Friendship Unions ii
Experimental Metaphysics
v Human Identity. The Ideal of Fraternity
vi The Question of Will
vii The Life Ethics of Friendship
Part iii
Politics
Revolution from Below Edward Abramowski’s Stateless Socialism and Possibility of Prefigurative Politics
Kamil Piskała
Edward Abramowski’s Writings
Workers’ Revolution
Issues of Socialism
iv Ethical Questions and the Politics of Revolution
Socialism and the State
v The Politics of Stateless Socialism
A General Conspiracy Against the Government
1 We Declare That We Will Fight!
ii What Is Freedom?
iii How Should We Fight?
iv How Should the Conspiracy Be Conducted
v The Fight in gmnias
vi This Let Us Remember!
Part iv
Cooperativism
The Free Creators of Life The Cooperativism of Edward Abramowski
Aleksandra Bilewicz
Edward Abramowski’s Writings
The Cooperative as a Matter of the Liberation of Working People
Introduction
i The Economic Principle of Consumer Cooperative
ii The Benefits of a Consumer Cooperative
iii Consumer Cooperative Federations and Institutions
iv Consumer Cooperatives’ Production
v People’s Associations in Cooperation with Consumer Cooperatives
vi The Ideas of Cooperativism
The Signifiance of Cooperativism for Democracy
The Consumer Cooperative Places National Trade in the Hands of the People
The Consumer Cooperative Places Production and National Resources in the Hands of the People
The Consumer Cooperative Places Education and Health in the Hands of the People
The Consumer Cooperative Teaches Self-government and Freedom
Associations and Their Role
i On Associations in General (What Is an Association?)
ii Forms of People’s Associations
The Principle of the Cooperative Commonwealth
1 The Principle of the Cooperative Commonwealth
2 The Nature (Form) of the Cooperative Commonwealth
3 Governance in a Cooperative Commonwealth
4 The Law of the Cooperative Commonwealth
5 The Concept of Human and Civil Rights in a Cooperative Commonwealth
6 The Notion of Life in a Cooperative Commonwealth
7 The Antagonism of the State and the Cooperative Commonwealth
8 Socialism and the Cooperative Commonwealth
9 The Cooperative Commonwealth and Politics
Part v
Psychology
The Subconscious Origin of Ethics Edward Abramowski’s Psychological Theory
Lena Magnone
Edward Abramowski’s Writings
The Sources of Subconsciousness and Its Manifestations
i The Problem of Method
x Aesthetic States
xi Religious States
xii Things Beyond Thought
Afterword: All the Best!
Andrzej Mencwel
Bibliography
Index
