Mutual Aid (Unabridged)

This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

Peter Kropotkin's 'Mutual Aid' challenges the idea that competition is the sole driver of evolution. Instead, he argues that cooperation and mutual aid have played a crucial role in the survival and development of both animals and human societies. He draws on examples from nature, such as social insects and birds, and from history, highlighting the importance of communities and institutions built on cooperation. Kropotkin criticizes both 'social Darwinism,' which emphasizes ruthless competition, and romanticized views of cooperation based solely on altruism. He argues that mutual aid offers practical benefits for survival and is encouraged by natural selection, alongside our moral sense. While not advocating for a utopian world without conflict, Kropotkin positions cooperation as a key factor in societal progress and evolution.