Material Causality and Political Atomism

A theory of Experience in which Material Causality is a component implies agreement with Aristotle's thesis that humans are by nature political entities, though not with his teleological grounds for it. Whereas for Aristotle, political activity fulfills human nature, with Material Causality as its principle, it is an opportunity for the growth of an individual, e. g. for a broadening of one's perspective, via cooperative association with others. On the other hand, Hobbes' theory of human nature as essentially selfish, and his consequent concept of the role of political organization as a mediator of natural interpersonal antagonism, constitutes a suppression of Material Causality. Likewise, while Locke has a sunnier view of interpersonal dynamics, he agrees with Hobbes that individuals are essentially atoms, and, therefore, that political activity is, at best, an extrinsic good for one. Indeed, generally speaking, most modern political orientations, include the breadth of the American spectrum, subscribes to political Atomism. One potential exception is Heidegger's concept 'being-with-others', which he, however, eventually subordinates to Ontological solitude. So, the recognition of Material Causality as a fundamental dimension of Experience entails what seems to be an alternative to most established political doctrines.