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 capacities 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 human nature human needs idea important individual inherent intellectual interpretation Karl Marx kind labour language lines London man's nature manifested Marx Marx's Marxism materialism matter meaning merely mode needs Notes objective obviously once particular passage perhaps Philosophy physical possible practical present production question reading reality reasons reference regarded reject respect sense sentence similar single sixth thesis social relations society sort speak specific statements structure suggests theoretical theory thing third sentence thought tion true universal usage whole writings
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| Title | Marx and Human Nature: Refutation of a Legend |
| Author | Norman Geras |
| Publisher | Verso, 1983 |
| ISBN | 0860917673, 9780860917670 |
| Length | 126 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |