Mutual Aid

by Peter Kropotkin

English language

Published Oct. 2, 2021 by Standard Ebooks.

(10 reviews)

Peter Kropotkin initially published the chapters of Mutual Aid as individual essays in the intellectual periodical The Nineteenth Century over the course of six years. In 1902 the essays were published as a book.

        <p>In it, Kropotkin explores the role of mutually-beneficial cooperation across both animal and human societies. He begins by outlining how animals, both within and across species, thrive not through individual fitness, but rather through mutual cooperation. He then extends the breadth of his study to ancient human societies across generations and nations, until arriving at modern society, which he suggests has largely dispensed with the ancient benefits of mutual aid in favor of private property, capitalism, and social Darwinism.</p>
        <p>Though more of a philosophical work than a scientific work, many of Kropotkin’s observations of the animal kingdom are considered to be scientifically accurate today, with Douglas H. Boucher calling <i>Mutual Aid</i> a precursor to the theory …

        <p>In it, Kropotkin explores the role of mutually-beneficial cooperation across both animal and human societies. He begins by outlining how animals, both within and across species, thrive not through individual fitness, but rather through mutual cooperation. He then extends the breadth of his study to ancient human societies across generations and nations, until arriving at modern society, which he suggests has largely dispensed with the ancient benefits of mutual aid in favor of private property, capitalism, and social Darwinism.</p>
        <p>Though more of a philosophical work than a scientific work, many of Kropotkin’s observations of the animal kingdom are considered to be scientifically accurate today, with Douglas H. Boucher calling <i>Mutual Aid</i> a precursor to the theory of biological altruism.</p>
        <p>As a philosophical work <i>Mutual Aid</i>, along with his other work <i><a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/peter-kropotkin/the-conquest-of-bread/chapman-and-hall">The Conquest of Bread</a></i>, is recognized as a foundational text of the anarcho-communist political philosophy.</p>

91 editions

ablazingpiggy reviewed Mutual Aid: A Factor in Evolution by Peter Kropotkin

Review of 'Mutual Aid: A Factor in Evolution' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

ive been poor for most of my life. and i remember how much we needed to rely on our small latine community.

a section near the end made me cry. the similarities between Kropotkin's observations of mutual aid in the slums of Europe and my experiences in poor Hispanic communities made me tear up in sheer joy. i felt hope for humanity for the first time in so long. closing the book after finishing it wasn't a sorrow, but a triumph.

Kropotkin is my grandpa now.

Mason Carter reviewed Mutual Aid by Peter Kropotkin

Review of 'Mutual Aid' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

One of my favourite books of all time. I even did my thesis on it. I would highly suggest it to anyone. Though negated by modern sciences and psychology you will be amazed how much of social Darwinism still lurks in today's "common sense" as manufactured by ones in control. Usually the arguments that are quite famous and repeated often to support capitalism and fascism still unconsciously arise from long negated but not yet dead social Darwinism. This work is the only complete response and scientific negation of social Darwinism. Social Darwinism in the past has been a weapon of fascists, totalitarians (tankies), and capitalists alike to support their arguments. You will be amazed how many common arguments in favour of racism, colonization, patriarchy and the mindset of such poisonous nature are production of social Darwinism. Kropotkin was amazing! I love all of his writings.

Theory Reading Lich reviewed Mutual Aid by Peter Kropotkin

A scientific basic to socialist theory

4 stars

This is an excellent book refuting social Darwinism. Very basic, but still something I'd recommand to a neophyte of socialism.

deegpoes reviewed Mutual Aid: A Factor in Evolution by Peter Kropotkin

Review of 'Mutual Aid: A Factor in Evolution' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A fundamental work on cooperation in nature and society and in my opinion a better entry point to anarchist philosophy than "The Conquest Of Bread". Although it is considerably less prosaic it forms a basis on which theory can be built, establishing that a society without authority has functioned and could do so again.