Karl Marx's Theory of History: A Defence
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Author Description
First published in 1978, this book rapidly established itself as a classic of modern Marxism. Cohen's masterful application of advanced philosophical techniques in an uncompromising defense of historical materialism commanded widespread admiration. In the ensuing twenty years, the book has served as a flagship of a powerful intellectual movement--analytical Marxism. In this expanded edition, Cohen offers his own account of the history, and the further promise, of analytical Marxism. He also expresses reservations about traditional historical materialism, in the light of which he reconstructs the theory, and he studies the implications for historical materialism of the demise of the Soviet Union.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the validity and internal consistency of Karl Marx's theory of history, specifically historical materialism, through the lens of contemporary analytical philosophy. G. A. Cohen, a prominent philosopher and key figure in the development of analytical Marxism, utilizes rigorous logical analysis to reconstruct Marx's claims. By stripping away Hegelian dialectics and focusing on functional explanation, Cohen provides a systematic defense of the materialist conception of history while addressing its limitations in the post-Soviet era.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed philosophical reconstruction of historical materialism using functional explanation.
- An analysis of the relationship between productive forces and social relations of production.
- A critical assessment of the impact of the Soviet Union's collapse on Marxist theory.
- A retrospective account of the emergence and trajectory of the analytical Marxism movement.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and scholars widely recognize this text as a foundational document for the analytical Marxism movement, noted for its high level of philosophical rigor and clarity. Readers frequently observe that the text demands a strong background in political philosophy to fully grasp the nuances of Cohen's logical arguments.
Page Count:
386
Publication Date:
1980-01-01
Publisher:
Princeton University Press
ISBN-10:
0198274408
ISBN-13:
9780198274407
History
Philosophy
Marxism
Political Theory
Community Tags
Other Editions(2)
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