Agnes Heller : socialism, autonomy, and the postmodern / Simon Tormey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tormey, Simon, 1963-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Heller, Ágnes.

Sociology--Hungary--History--20th century.

Sociology.

Socialism and society.

Heller, Agnes--Contributions in ethical socialism.

History.

Hungary.

Local Subjects:

Heller, Agnes--Contributions in ethical socialism.

Physical Description:

ix, 220 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Manchester [England] ; New York : Manchester University Press ; New York : Distributed exclusively in the USA by Palgrave, 2001.

Summary:

This book examines for the first time the political thought of Agnes Heller, philosopher, social critic and former member of the Budapest School of 'humanist' Marxism. Beginning with Everyday Life (1968) the book surveys the development of her work, offering a clear and accessible guide to the major features of her political thought together with an assessment of their importance and originality for the development of emancipatory theory and socialist critique. The book clearly shows the importance of Heller's work for many of the key debates taking place now within political and social theory: what is the future of left radical politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall? Can a 'postmodern' politics remain a radical politics? What is the role of the individual in promoting progressive causes? The book assumes no prior familiarity with Heller's work and is thus an ideal introduction to the work of one of the world's leading intellectuals. It will also be of use to those interested in the fate of Marxist, neo-Marxist and radical political thought over the course of the previous century.

Contents:

Introduction: Agnes Heller, woman in 'dark times' 1

1 The 'Renaissance of Marxism' and the revolution in everyday life 21

2 Rereading Marx: 'value', 'need' and the humanisation of socialism 51

3 From humanism to critique: Radical Philosophy and the idea of the political 76

4 Socialism, democracy, modernity - after the end of 'history' 103

5 An 'incomplete' radicalism: Beyond Justice and the possibility of a post-metaphysical politics 134

6 The 'Universal' in question: contingency, decency and the postmodern political condition Conclusion: the future of a disillusion (revisited) 195.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 208-215) and index.

ISBN:

0719049946

0719060389

OCLC:

46866306