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Posted: October 30th, 2022
The philosophy that impacted the elimination of slavery
The philosophy that impacted the elimination of slavery
Slavery was a widespread and brutal institution that oppressed millions of people across the world for centuries. However, in the nineteenth century, slavery was gradually abolished in many regions, especially in the Atlantic. What philosophical ideas influenced this historical change? There are three main theories that attempt to explain why slavery was abolished: economic, moral, and activist.
The economic theory argues that slavery became less profitable and less efficient as a mode of production in the era of industrialization and capitalism. According to this theory, slavery was incompatible with the free market, free trade, and free labor that characterized the modern economy. Slavery also faced competition from new sources of energy, such as coal and steam, and new forms of transportation, such as railways and steamships, that reduced the demand for slave labor. Furthermore, slavery was seen as a hindrance to economic development and innovation, as it discouraged investment, education, and technological progress. Therefore, slavery was abolished because it was no longer economically viable or beneficial.
The moral theory argues that slavery was abolished because of a shift in the values and beliefs of society, influenced by the Enlightenment and religious movements. According to this theory, slavery was challenged by the ideals of human rights, liberty, equality, and democracy that emerged from the Enlightenment philosophy. Slavery was also condemned by various religious groups, such as Quakers, Methodists, Evangelicals, and Catholics, who appealed to the principles of justice, compassion, and human dignity. Therefore, slavery was abolished because it was morally wrong and incompatible with the ethical standards of civilization.
The activist theory argues that slavery was abolished because of the resistance and mobilization of enslaved people and their allies, who fought against the system of oppression. According to this theory, slavery was undermined by the rebellions, revolts, escapes, and sabotage of enslaved people, who asserted their agency and humanity. Slavery was also opposed by various networks of abolitionists, who campaigned for the end of the slave trade and slavery through petitions, publications, protests, boycotts, lawsuits, and political pressure. Therefore, slavery was abolished because it was resisted and challenged by those who suffered from it and those who sympathized with them.
These three theories are not mutually exclusive or exhaustive. They can be seen as complementary perspectives that highlight different aspects of a complex historical process. Slavery was abolished because of a combination of economic, moral, and activist factors that interacted in various ways across time and space. However, slavery did not end with its legal abolition. It persisted in other forms, such as debt bondage, indentured servitude, forced labor, human trafficking, and racial discrimination. The struggle against slavery continues today in different contexts and arenas.
Bibliography
– BBC – Ethics – Slavery: Philosophers justifying slavery [online]. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/slavery/ethics/philosophers_1.shtml [Accessed 30 Oct 2023].
– Britannica – Abolitionism | Movement [online]. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic (sample nursing essay examples by the best nursing assignment writing service)/abolitionism-European-and-American-social-movement [Accessed 30 Oct 2023].
– Khan Academy – READ: Why Was Slavery Abolished? Three Theories [online]. Available at: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/whp-origins/era-6-the-long-nineteenth-century-1750-ce-to-1914-ce/64-transformation-of-labor-betaa/a/read-why-was-slavery-abolished-three-theories-beta [Accessed 30 Oct 2023].
– Monticello – Enlightenment [online]. Available at: https://www.monticello.org/slavery/paradox-of-liberty/thomas-jefferson-liberty-slavery/a-society-dependent-on-slavery/enlightenment-freedom-and-slavery/ [Accessed 30 Oct 2023].
– Monticello – Jefferson [online]. Available at: https://www.monticello.org/slavery/paradox-of-liberty/thomas-jefferson-liberty-slavery/jefferson-and-the-enlightenment/ [Accessed 30 Oct 2023].
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