The metaphysical mutation that gave rise to materialism and modern science in turn spawned two great trends: rationalism and individualism. Huxleys mistake was in having poorly evaluated the balance of power between these two. Specifically, he underestimated the growth of individualism brought about by an increased consciousness of death. Individualism gives rise to freedom, the sense of self, the need to distinguish oneself and to be superior to others. A rational society like the one he describes in Brave New World can defuse the struggle. Economic rivalrya metaphor for mastery over spacehas no more reason to exist in a society of plenty, where the economy is strictly regulated. Sexual rivalrya metaphor for mastery over time through reproductionhas no more reason to exist in a society where the connection between sex and procreation has been broken. But Huxley forgets about individualism. He doesnt understand that sex, even stripped of its link with reproduction, still existsnot as a pleasure principle, but as a form of narcissistic differentiation. The same is true of the desire for wealth. Why has the Swedish model of social democracy never triumphed over liberalism? Why has it never been applied to sexual satisfaction? Because the metaphysical mutation brought about by modern science leads to individuation, vanity, malice and desire. Any philosopher, not just Buddhist or Christian, but any philosopher worthy of the name, knows that, in itself, desireunlike pleasureis a source of suffering, pain and hatred.
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About Michel Houellebecq
Michel Houellebecq was a contemporary French writer. Michel Houellebecq is a French author of novels, poems, and essays, as well as an occasional actor, filmmaker, and singer. His first book was a biographical essay on the horror writer H. Read more on Wikipedia →