Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

434 / ANARCHISM
fe atures Yes, we can. True, it is certainly not a matter ofa scientific fo rmula fo r
life-no such fo rmula exists-but rather of a pretty clear-cut, fa ir definition of
its visible, palpable, conceivable essence. According to this line of reasoning,
life is primarily a great synthesis: a vast, complicated whole, an organic, original
whole made up of countless motley variations.
2. Life is a synthesis. So what are the essence and originality of that synthesis
The essence of life is the widest variety of its parts-which are in a state of perpetual
motio ll at that-simultaneously and equally perpetually displaying a certain
unity, or, rather, a certain equilibrium. The essence oflife, the essence of the
sublime synthesis is a constant striving fo r equilibrium, indeed the ongoing
achievement of a certain equilibrium amid the greatest diversity and perpetual
motion ...
3. Life is a synthesis. Life (the universe, nature) is equilibrilll1l (a sort of oneness) in
diversity alld in l11otioll (or, if one prefers, diversity and motion in equilibrium). As
a result, if anarchism wishes to march in step with life, if it wants to be one ofits
organic elements, if it wishes to be reconciled with it and to arrive at a real result,
instead offinding itself at odds with it, only to be rejected in the end, it too
must-without renouncing diversity or motion-also and always achieve equilibrium,
synthesis and unity.
But it is not enough just to argue that anarchism can be synthetic; it must be
so. Not only is a synthesis of anarchism feasible or desirable: it is vital. While retaining
the lively diversity of its component parts, and avoiding stagnation and
embracing movement-the essential fe atures of its vitality-;:m;m-hism should
at the same time seek equilibrium through that very diversity and movement.
Diversity and movement in the absence of equilibrium spell chaos. Equilibrium
without diversity and movement spell stagnation and death. Diversity plus
movement in equilibriul11: that is the synthesis of life. Anarchism should be varied
and mobile and at the same time balanced, synthetic and one. Otherwise it will
not be life-like.
4. Note, finally, that the true basis of diversity and movement in life (with synthesis
as the jumping-off point) is creation, to wit, the constant production of
the new, new combinations, new movements, a new equilibrium. Life is a creative
diversity. Life is equilibrium set ill uninterrupted creatioll . As a result, no anarchist
could argue that "his" current is the sole and constant truth and that all
the other strands within anarchism are nonsense. On the contrary: it is non-