Theory of Universal Unity

Utopian and Scientific

Charles Fourier, “Melons that Never Deceive”

January 14, 2013 Shawn P. Wilbur
THE THEORY OF UNIVERSAL UNITY   VOLUME 3, pages 47-50.   CIS-AMBLE,   Melons that never deceive, or prodigies of composite serial Gastronomy.   Let us give some articles to each of the classes of readers. There are those who love amusing demonstrations, connected to their favorite pleasures; the gastronomes are among this number: I attempt, in this mediant, their conversion. I suppose that they are already moved by the depictions of the refinement that the Passional Series introduces into good food. I will give gormandizing some more nobles colors, and present it as the principle aide of the economic […]
Utopian and Scientific

Charles Fourier, “Major or Gastrosophic War”

January 14, 2013 Shawn P. Wilbur
  A colleague and I have been working on a translation from Fourier’s New Amorous World, which focuses on the “wars” between the armies of Harmony to determine the most generally pleasing series of means of preparation for petits pâtés. This is a companion piece from The Theory of Universal Unity, which describes variations on the same process.    Major or Gastrosophic War.   Let us banish calculations from an article dedicated to beautiful subjects, to nice tastes. Let us not, however, entirely neglect method. We call nice tastes those with which we can form at least a regular series […]
Anarchist Beginnings

Charles Fourier, Cardinal and the Principal Movements in the Harmony of the Universe

September 16, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur
FOURIER. I am aware that it is very humiliating for an age in possession of so much physical and mathematical science, to be branded with ignorance concerning other branches of knowledge; to be openly accused of entertaining false notions on many subjects, and of not being initiated even in the most elementary details of several very important sciences; such, for instance, as the four following:— Industrial Association. Passional Attraction. Aromal Mechanism. Universal Analogy. If the pride of modern learning feel offended at this sweeping declaration, let it reflect upon the following table of distinctions in the branches of universal unity; […]
Anarchist Beginnings

Charles Fourier, Framework for the Integral Study of Nature

September 12, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur
FOURIER ON THE UNITY OF SYSTEM IN UNIVERSAL NATURE. Modern sophists, particularly in France, have generally aimed at explaining the unity of system which is remarkable in universal nature, and yet the philosophical world never was farther removed from the right line of study on this subject than at present. There is hardly a correct idea abroad concerning the fundamental basis of universalism or general unity, which may be thus resumed:— Unity of man with man, Unity of man with God, Unity of man with the universe. In this book it will be demonstrated that philosophers have either purposely or […]
Anarchist Beginnings

Charles Fourier, The Critical State of Civilization (2 of 2)

September 12, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur
FOURIER, ON THE CRITICAL STATE OF CIVILIZATION IN EUROPE. There never was a greater want of useful discoveries in the civilized world than at present. Society is now afflicted with four disastrous elements of a comparatively modern date, which aggravate the primithve causes of human suffering. These modern elements of social misery are, 1. The new pestilence and its complications.[1] 2. The insalubrious effects of injudicious culture and the destruction of Forests. 3. The permanency of revolutionary ferment4. The alarming increase of public debts and stock-jobbing speculation. This quadruple plague proves that civilization and refinement are progressing like the lobster, […]
Anarchist Beginnings

Charles Fourier, The Critical State of Civilization (1 of 2)

September 12, 2012 Shawn P. Wilbur
[This section from The Treatise on Domestic-Agricultural Association immediately follows the material already posted from The Morning Star. It appeared in the November 25, 1840 issue (No. 6) of that paper.] FOURIER ON THE CRITICAL STATE OF CIVILIZATION IN EUROPE. ELEMENTS OF DECLINE IN THE POLITICAL WORLD.. The most recent and the most remarkable elements of decline in the political organization of society in Europe, are, national debts and revolutions, which generate each other. Our political doctors have hitherto failed in devising remedies for these social evils. As a check on the prodigality of national expenditure and the increase of […]