Marx and Human Nature by Norman Geras
'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.
Norman Geras was Professor in the Department of Government at Manchester University. He was an important part of the New Left movement and an editorial board member and contributor at New Left Review.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780860917670 |
| ISBN 10 | 0860917673 |
| Title | Marx and Human Nature |
| Author | Norman Geras |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Verso Books |
| Year published | 1983-03-01 |
| Number of pages | 112 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |