Max Stirner Flashcards
Stirner’s key work, what ideas were developed, and what branch did this associate him with
The Ego and His Own - 1844
Developed his idea of egotism (exclusively self-interested, leading them to follow their self interest, even if it conflicted with others)
Associated himself with individualism
The key to understanding how anyone acted came from recognising they acted in a self-interested way
What did Stirner oppose, and what analogies did he give them
Opposed the state, religion and ideology
Ideologies deny freedom of choice
Anything which threatens ones self-interest is a ‘spook’ / ‘ghost’
Same thought, state / religion / ideology are ‘illusions’
They appear to promote individual liberty, but actually in practice suppress it
What did Stirner think should replace ideology and religion, and how would this be practised
Egotism should replace them
As egotism spread, it would replace ideology + religion
This would not lead to conflict between individuals, but rather egotists would find themselves in ‘unions of egotists’
Groups which realise co-operating is best way to reach maximum self-interest
Unions would gradually replace the state
Stirner’s view of entitlement, use and relationship
Individual is entitled to anything they can find in the world
Individuals can use other people for their own purpose
In book, he described an idealistic world where people are interested in others only due to what they can provide
Relationships therefore should be based on how useful a person is to another, not on a sentimental basis
How did Stirner want to dismantle the state
Bring down the state by force
Stirner’s view on human nature
One of the most pessimistic (see things as the worst) in anarchism
Wrote people can be altruistic (selfless) only if it serves their own self-interest
Stirner’s view on individual liberty
A champion of unrestrained individual liberty
State + private property has to be abolished for widest possible freedom
Moral restrictions that prohibit the individual needs to be ended, agreeing with Georges Sorel
Sorel believed committing acts that outraged public morality was a positive step on the road to genuine liberty
