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Marx and Human Nature by Norman Geras

Marx and Human Nature

Refutation of a Legend

Refutation of a Legend

Refutation of a Legend

By Norman Geras

By Norman Geras

By Norman Geras

By Norman Geras

By Norman Geras

By Norman Geras

Best Seller

Part of Radical Thinkers

Part of Radical Thinkers

Part of Radical Thinkers

Category: Philosophy

Category: Philosophy

Category: Philosophy

Paperback $17.95

Feb 02, 2016 | ISBN 9781784782351

Paperback $19.95

Jul 17, 1985 | ISBN 9780860910664

Ebook $9.99

Feb 23, 2016 | ISBN 9781784782375

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    Marx and Human Nature by Norman Geras
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    About Marx and Human Nature

    “Marx did not reject the idea of a 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 Theses on Feuerbach under rigorous scrutiny. He argues that this ambiguous statement—widely cited as evidence that Marx broke with all conceptions of human nature in 1845—must be read in the context of Marx’s work as a whole. His later writings are informed by an idea of a specifically human nature that fulfills 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—combining the strengths of analytical philosophy and classical Marxism—rediscovers a central part of his heritage.

    About Marx and Human Nature

    “Marx did not reject the idea of a 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 Theses on Feuerbach under rigorous scrutiny. He argues that this ambiguous statement—widely cited as evidence that Marx broke with all conceptions of human nature in 1845—must be read in the context of Marx’s work as a whole. His later writings are informed by an idea of a specifically human nature that fulfills 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—combining the strengths of analytical philosophy and classical Marxism—rediscovers a central part of his heritage.

    About Marx and Human Nature

    “Marx did not reject the idea of a 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 Theses on Feuerbach under rigorous scrutiny. He argues that this ambiguous statement—widely cited as evidence that Marx broke with all conceptions of human nature in 1845—must be read in the context of Marx’s work as a whole. His later writings are informed by an idea of a specifically human nature that fulfills 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—combining the strengths of analytical philosophy and classical Marxism—rediscovers a central part of his heritage.

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    See all books by Norman Geras

    Also by Norman Geras

    Literature of Revolution
    The Legacy of Rosa Luxemburg
    The Contract of Mutual Indifference
    Solidarity in the Conversation of Humankind
    Discourses of Extremity
    See all books by Norman Geras

    Also by Norman Geras

    Literature of Revolution
    The Legacy of Rosa Luxemburg
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    See all books by Norman Geras

    Product Details

    Category: Philosophy

    Paperback | $17.95
    Published by Verso
    Feb 02, 2016 | 144 Pages | ISBN 9781784782351

    Category: Philosophy

    Paperback | $19.95
    Published by Verso
    Jul 17, 1985 | 126 Pages | 5-2/5 x 8-1/2 | ISBN 9780860910664

    Category: Philosophy

    Ebook | $9.99
    Published by Verso
    Feb 23, 2016 | 144 Pages | ISBN 9781784782375

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    Praise

    “This remarkable short book deserves to be widely read and not only by those interested in Marxology. For it achieves something rare in its field: rationally compelling proof. Not only does it conclusively refute a widely current legend about Marx’s thought … it does so with striking elegance, economy, and argumentative power.”—Steven Lukes, Times Literary Supplement

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