Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution - Softcover

Kropotkin, Petr Alekseevich

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0875580246 ISBN 13: 9780875580241

Publisher: Sargent (Porter),Publisher,U.S., 1976

Synopsis

2017 Reprint of 1919 Edition.  “Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution” is a 1902 work by Russian anarchist philosopher Peter Kropotkin. Kropotkin explores the role of mutually-beneficial cooperation and reciprocity (or "mutual aid") in the animal kingdom and human societies both past and present.  It is an argument against the competition-centered theories of so-called social Darwinism, as well as the romantic depictions of cooperation presented by writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who argued it was motivated by universal love rather than self-interest.  “Mutual Aid” is considered a fundamental text in anarchist communism, presenting a scientific basis for communism alternative to the historical materialism of the Marxists.  Many biologists also consider it an important catalyst in the scientific study of cooperation.

About this title

About the Author

Peter Kropotkin (1842–1921) was born a Russian prince, but abandoned his title at the age of twelve. He escaped from his first imprisonment and lived the bulk of his life in exile. Though he was a skilled geographer, he is most known for being an important theorist of anarchism and anarchist communism.

Edition details

• Publisher: Sargent (Porter),Publisher,U.S.
• Publication date: 1976
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0875580246
• ISBN 13: 9780875580241
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400