Дискурс Пи (Jan 2021)
Promised Marx
Abstract
Monograph review: Koryakovtsev, A.A. (Ed.). (2021). Marx Lost and Marx Regained. A Book on Marx's Philosophy: How and Why It was Lost and Regained in Russia. Moscow; Ekaterinburg The review considers the monograph of the Ural philosophers A. A. Koryakovtsev, P. N. Kondrashov, K. N. Lyubutin and S. V. Viskunov "Marx Lost and Marx Regained. A Book on Marx's Philosophy: How and why it was Lost and Regained in Russia". It is noted that this monograph is relevant, since its authors are aimed not only at exposing myths about the philosophy of Marx, but also at updating Marxism in the context of rapid social changes. The book presents an existential-anthropological interpretation of Marx's philosophy, as well as criticism of the idea of the revolution of the working class in the context of the search for new subjects of the transition to a post-capitalist society (for example, the special, albeit contradictory, role of the state bureaucracy as an independent class is emphasized). At the same time, the monograph is characterized by a number of shortcomings, one of which is an optimistic belief in the gradual maturation of communist social relations under capitalism (belief in the Internet, "knowledge-based communism" and the creative aspirations of the masses, which, according to the authors of the book, will eventually replace the "mode of having"). Many facts suggest the opposite though. Another vulnerability of the book arises from the conviction of its authors in the self-sufficiency of Marxism, in the fact that we can find most of the answers simply by understanding Marx correctly, using only his method. This methodological closeness may ultimately lead to the inability of Marxism (more broadly, leftist theorists) to provide answers to many challenges of our time. However, in general, the authors succeeded in posing new questions and original interpretation of Marx's works, so the monograph definitely deserves to be read, especially given the shortage of Marxist literature in Russia.
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