Marx and Human Nature: Refutation of a Legend'Marx did not reject the idea of human nature. He was right not to do so.' That is the conclusion of this passionate and polemical new work by Norman Geras. In it, he places the sixth of Marx's These on Feuerbach under rigorous scrutiny. He argues that this ambiguous statement - widely cited as evidence that Marx broke with all concepts of human nature in 1845 - must be read in the context of Marx's work as a whole. His later writings are formed by an idea of a specifically human nature that fulfils both explanatory and normative functions. The belief that Marx's historical materialism entailed a denial of the conception of human nature is, Geras writes, 'an old fixation, which the Althusserian influence in this matter has fed upon...Because this fixation still exists and is misguided, it is still necessary to challenge it.' One hundred years after Marx's death, this timely essay - combing the strengths of analytical philosophy and classical Marxism - rediscovers a central part of his heritage. |
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abstraction according activity actually already argument assert assumption basis Capital character characteristics claim common concept of human concern consider constant context course criticism definite denial deny dependence determined distinct ensemble of social equally essay essence evidence example existence explain expression fact Feuerbach follows forces German Ideology give given historical materialism human nature human needs idea important individual inherent intellectual interpretation Karl kind labour language lines London man's nature man’s manifested Marx Marx's Marxists materialism matter meaning merely mode objective obviously once particular passage perhaps physical political possible practical precisely present production question reading reality reasons reference regarded reject sense sentence similar simply single sixth thesis social relations society sort speak species statements structure suggests theoretical theory thing third sentence thought tion true universal usage whole writings
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Bibliographic information
| Title | Marx and Human Nature: Refutation of a Legend |
| Author | Norman Geras |
| Publisher | Verso, 1983 |
| ISBN | 0860917673, 9780860917670 |
| Length | 126 pages |
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