Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (15 January 1809, Besançon – 19 January 1865, Paris) was a French socialist, politician, philosopher, economist and the founder of mutualist philosophy. He was the first person to declare himself an anarchist, using that term, and is widely regarded as one of anarchism's most influential theorists. Proudhon is considered by many to be the "father of anarchism". Proudhon became a member of the French Parliament after the Revolution of 1848, whereafter he referred to himself as a federalist. Proudhon described the liberty he pursued as "the synthesis of communism and property". Some consider his mutualism to be part of individualist anarchism while others regard it to be part of social anarchism.Proudhon, who was born in Besançon, was a printer who taught himself Latin in order to better print books in the language. His best-known assertion is that "property is theft!", contained in his first major work, What Is Property? Or, an Inquiry into the Principle of Right and Government (Qu'est-ce que la propriété? Recherche sur le principe du droit et du gouvernement), published in 1840. The book's publication attracted the attention of the French authorities. It also attracted the scrutiny of Karl Marx, who started a correspondence with its author. The two influenced each other and they met in Paris while Marx was exiled there. Their friendship finally ended when Marx responded to Proudhon's The System of Economic Contradictions, or The Philosophy of Poverty with the provocatively titled The Poverty of Philosophy. The dispute became one of the sources of the split between the anarchist and Marxist wings of the International Working Men's Association. Some such as Edmund Wilson have contended that Marx's attack on Proudhon had its origin in the latter's defense of Karl Grün, whom Marx bitterly disliked, but who had been preparing translations of Proudhon's work.Proudhon favored workers' council and associations or cooperatives as well as individual worker/peasant possession over private ownership or the nationalization of land and workplaces. He considered social revolution to be achievable in a peaceful manner. Proudhon unsuccessfully tried to create a national bank, to be funded by what became an abortive attempt at an income tax on capitalists and shareholders. Similar in some respects to a credit union, it would have given interest-free loans. After the death of his follower Mikhail Bakunin, Proudhon's libertarian socialism diverged into individualist anarchism, collectivist anarchism, anarcho-communism and anarcho-syndicalism, with notable proponents such as Carlo Cafiero, Joseph Déjacque, Peter Kropotkin and Benjamin Tucker.
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Some of their strengths
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Intelligent, Responsible, Hardworking, Loyal, Generous, Bold, and Confident.
Smart and Hardworking
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon is someone who is a smart, hardworking, reliable, and loyal person, who is detail-oriented and orderly, but also generous and optimistic. A person who is known for being diligent and strong.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Pierre-Joseph Proudhon well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Imaginative and Sentimental
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Pierre-Joseph Proudhon as someone who is imaginative, sentimental, and in touch with emotions.
A person who has extremely good memory and analytical skills, likes to make sure that everyone gets along, enjoys all kinds of situations and people, has a talent for travel and languages, and who makes lifelong friends.
Perceptive and Visionary
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon is someone who has a natural awareness about what is going on in the surrounding environment and the world at large, and a refined vision of how to navigate it.
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Patient and Perseverent
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon tends to be someone who is patient, faithful, hardworking and persistent, and who wants to achieve a lot in life. Who tends to be rather private when it comes to expressing feelings, enjoys being independent and self-sufficient, and who is not afraid of any obstacle.
Some of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's challenges
While Pierre-Joseph Proudhon has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon can be Suspicious, Stubborn, Arrogant, Status-seeking, Irritable, Moody, and Demanding.
Suspicious and Stubborn
One of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's key challenges is that they are someone who can be suspicious and stubborn.
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Irritable and Moody
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon is someone who can be irritable and moody, have a tendency to experience self-doubt, be too secretive, can take too many risks, and who can have an extreme approach to managing personal finances.
Callous and Stubborn
Finally, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon also can come across as cold and unemotional, be too dismissive of others' opinions, and be overly suspicious, selfish and crafty.
