Description
The early Marx called for the "realization of philosophy" through revolution. Revolution thus becomes a critical philosophical concept for Marxism, a view elaborated in the later praxis philosophies of Lukacs, and the Frankfurt School. These philosophers argue that fundamental philosophical problems are, in reality, social problems abstractly conceived. This argument has two implications: on the one hand, philosophical problems are significant insofar as they reflect real social contradictions; on the other hand, philosophy cannot resolve the problems it identifies because only social revolution can eliminate their causes.
Realizing Philosophy traces the evolution of this argument in the writings of Marx, Lukacs, Adorno and Marcuse. This reinterpretation of the philosophy of praxis shows its continuing relevance to contemporary discussions in Marxist political theory, continental philosophy and science and technology studies.
The origins of "Western Marxism"
About the Author
Andrew Feenberg is the author of Lukacs, Marx and the Sources of Critical Theory (1986), Critical Theory of Technology (1991), Alternative Modernity (1995), Questioning Technology (1999), Transforming Technology (2002), Heidegger and Marcuse: The Catastrophe and Redemption of History (2005), and Between Reason and Experience: Essays in Technology and Modernity (2010). He is also co-editor of Marcuse: Critical Theory and the Promise of Utopia (1987), Technology and the Politics of Knowledge (1995), Modernity and Technology (2003), Community in the Digital Age (2004), and (Re)inventing the Internet (2012). With William Leiss, Feenberg has edited a collection entitled The Essential Marcuse published in 2007. His co-authored book on the French May Events of 1968 appeared in 2001 under the title When Poetry Ruled the Streets.
Reviews
"Feenberg's subtle and wide-ranging study of Lukacs' History and Class Consciousness reaches forward to Marcuse and the Frankfurt School and backwards into Marx's 1844 manuscripts. The book offers a whole new framework in which to grasp the history of Marxist theory, at the same time restoring Marcuse's centrality in it." - Fredric Jameson "A model of lucid and sophisticated intellectual history." - Martin Jay, University of California, Berkeley "A most fascinating and significant book." - Theory and Society "A vigorous and thoughtful reassessment of both Lukacs and the Western Marxist tradition - of great interest to anyone interested in critical theory or continental philosophy." - Robert Pippin, University of Chicago "Feenberg achieves his goal of demonstrating the relevance of seemingly dusty and abstract philosophical conundrums not only to contemporary social theory but to politics as well." - The American Political Science Review "[Feenberg's] sensitive and intelligent treatment of a complex constellation of interrelated problems in Marxist studies should commend his book to a wide audience of interested scholars." - Man and World "Poses the central problem of history in such a way that every reader can identify its elements - The author knows the subject thoroughly, and illuminates many points in the texts of his main authors, as well as in those of such subsidiary figures as Marcuse and Habermas." - The Review of Metaphysics
Book Information
ISBN 9781781681725
Author Andrew Feenberg
Format Paperback
Page Count 270
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 440g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm
Realizing Philosophy traces the evolution of this argument in the writings of Marx, Lukacs, Adorno and Marcuse. This reinterpretation of the philosophy of praxis shows its continuing relevance to contemporary discussions in Marxist political theory, continental philosophy and science and technology studies.
The origins of "Western Marxism"
About the Author
Andrew Feenberg is the author of Lukacs, Marx and the Sources of Critical Theory (1986), Critical Theory of Technology (1991), Alternative Modernity (1995), Questioning Technology (1999), Transforming Technology (2002), Heidegger and Marcuse: The Catastrophe and Redemption of History (2005), and Between Reason and Experience: Essays in Technology and Modernity (2010). He is also co-editor of Marcuse: Critical Theory and the Promise of Utopia (1987), Technology and the Politics of Knowledge (1995), Modernity and Technology (2003), Community in the Digital Age (2004), and (Re)inventing the Internet (2012). With William Leiss, Feenberg has edited a collection entitled The Essential Marcuse published in 2007. His co-authored book on the French May Events of 1968 appeared in 2001 under the title When Poetry Ruled the Streets.
Reviews
"Feenberg's subtle and wide-ranging study of Lukacs' History and Class Consciousness reaches forward to Marcuse and the Frankfurt School and backwards into Marx's 1844 manuscripts. The book offers a whole new framework in which to grasp the history of Marxist theory, at the same time restoring Marcuse's centrality in it." - Fredric Jameson "A model of lucid and sophisticated intellectual history." - Martin Jay, University of California, Berkeley "A most fascinating and significant book." - Theory and Society "A vigorous and thoughtful reassessment of both Lukacs and the Western Marxist tradition - of great interest to anyone interested in critical theory or continental philosophy." - Robert Pippin, University of Chicago "Feenberg achieves his goal of demonstrating the relevance of seemingly dusty and abstract philosophical conundrums not only to contemporary social theory but to politics as well." - The American Political Science Review "[Feenberg's] sensitive and intelligent treatment of a complex constellation of interrelated problems in Marxist studies should commend his book to a wide audience of interested scholars." - Man and World "Poses the central problem of history in such a way that every reader can identify its elements - The author knows the subject thoroughly, and illuminates many points in the texts of his main authors, as well as in those of such subsidiary figures as Marcuse and Habermas." - The Review of Metaphysics
Book Information
ISBN 9781781681725
Author Andrew Feenberg
Format Paperback
Page Count 270
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 440g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm
