Rethinking Marxism : from Kant and Hegel to Marx and Engels / Jolyon Agar.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Agar, Jolyon.

Series:

Critical realism--interventions

Critical realism : interventions

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Philosophy, Marxist.

Dialectical materialism.

Communism.

Socialism.

Physical Description:

xiii, 225 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2006.

Summary:

Rethinking Marxism re-examines the relationship between the philosophies of Kant, Hegel, Marx and Engels. It posits the argument that through the idealisms of Kant and Hegel we can find the methodological foundations for the development of the German tradition of critique into the systematic materialist worldview that can be found in Marx and Engels. Furthermore, it argues that this Marxian materialism is broadly compatible with the dialectical critical realism of Roy Bhaskar. Agar stimulates debate with the conclusion that Bhaskar's work does not represent a sustainable and coherent form of realism and it is only when realist concepts are grounded in Marxian ontological materialism that such a form is possible.

This clear and accessible book will be of use to social theorists and political scholars, to all those looking for a new understanding of the complex relationship between Kant, Hegel, Marx and Engels and to those who seek an introduction to dialectical critical realism in general and its relationship to these giants of German philosophy in particular.

Contents:

1 Critical realism before the dialectic 5

2 Dialectical critical realism 37

3 Kant 71

4 Hegel 117

5 Marx and Engels 159.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780415409988

0415409985

9780415411196

041541119X

OCLC:

170031872