Topic > Error Theory by Alison Jaggar - 1649

In Feminist Politics and Human Nature by Alison Jaggar discusses, among many topics, human nature and how it relates to capitalism and socialist feminism. While Jaggar makes a strong and valid argument for his position on why work is terrible under capitalism and how, using an error theory, workers are not inherently lazy, I will criticize Jaggar's error theory and, by consequently, his views (as well as some of Marx's ideas) on capitalism more broadly. I believe that Alison Jaggar does not have a valid argument in her error theory against Thomas Malthus, strictly because of his interpretation of why capitalism is terrible because of Jaggar's interpretation of intrinsic value under capitalism. An overview of Jaggar's view of capitalism and how it isolates workers, Human Nature and Response to Thomas Malthus (summarized areas of quotes with actual quotes from text readings) Jaggar supported Karl Marx in the sense that they both believed that the capitalist alienates the worker under capitalism and even exploited the worker. According to Marx, the worker should freely create a product to develop his own skills. But under capitalism, the worker who creates a product has no control over how the product is made, what product is made, or what is to be done with the product once it is finished. Marx argues that the strong bond that should exist between worker and product is fragmented; therefore workers are alienated under capitalism. He also argues that workers are often enemies because they compete for jobs offered by the capitalist (lesson, 7/10). Jaggar then goes on to describe human nature. To summarize, it is human nature to work intentionally to transform our world, in my opinion… middle of paper… I could respond to Thomas Malthus more effectively. While the error theory is unsound, I am one who still accepts his vision of an economic democracy, although capitalism is still a great alternative. His arguments against compulsory motherhood, compulsory heterosexuality and the work structure would still remain valid and solid. Conclusion Ultimately, Jaggar's fallacy theory is unfounded due to a misinterpretation of capitalism in which Jaggar believes that work is generally terrible under the economic system, when in reality it is not that terrible. Work is not so terrible under capitalism due to the nature of capitalism which promotes competition to encourage entrepreneurship, which benefits society as a whole compared to socialist feminism. While Jaggar's theory of fallacy is unsound, the rest of his theory remains unchanged.