Merleau-Ponty and Marxism

From Terror to Reform

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Modern, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Communism & Socialism, History, 20th Century
Cover of the book Merleau-Ponty and Marxism by Barry Cooper, University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Barry Cooper ISBN: 9781442637658
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division Publication: December 15, 1979
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Barry Cooper
ISBN: 9781442637658
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Publication: December 15, 1979
Imprint:
Language: English

Influenced by Kojève's interpretation of Hegel as well as his direct political experience of the second world war, Maurice Merleau-Ponty abandoned the religious and philosophical position he had assumed in the 1930s and turned to Marxism. This is the first critical study of the French philosopher's political ideas and the context in which they evolved. 

In its origin and its development, Merleau-Ponty's political thought expressed a subtle dialectic between ongoing political events and the apparent truths of Marx's analysis. With the onset of the cold war, the discovery of the Soviet concentration camps, the repression of Eastern Europe, the Algerian crisis, and the founding of the Fifth Republic, Merleau-Ponty began to take a critical look at Marx's ideas of the genesis of humanism in the light of these disturbing political realities. His reconsideration of the basis of Marxism and his conclusion that it had lost contact with history led to a fundamental reorientation of his attitudes. No longer sympathetic to the use of violence to end violence, he criticized Sartre's external justification of communist violence as 'magical' and advocated instead a new liberalism combining parliamentary democracy with an awareness of the social problems of industrial capitalism.

Barry Cooper's study of this important contemporary thinker gives context for an understanding of Merleau- Ponty's politics and, in so doing, brings together the complex issues and ideas that have shaped modern European political and philosophical thought. 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Influenced by Kojève's interpretation of Hegel as well as his direct political experience of the second world war, Maurice Merleau-Ponty abandoned the religious and philosophical position he had assumed in the 1930s and turned to Marxism. This is the first critical study of the French philosopher's political ideas and the context in which they evolved. 

In its origin and its development, Merleau-Ponty's political thought expressed a subtle dialectic between ongoing political events and the apparent truths of Marx's analysis. With the onset of the cold war, the discovery of the Soviet concentration camps, the repression of Eastern Europe, the Algerian crisis, and the founding of the Fifth Republic, Merleau-Ponty began to take a critical look at Marx's ideas of the genesis of humanism in the light of these disturbing political realities. His reconsideration of the basis of Marxism and his conclusion that it had lost contact with history led to a fundamental reorientation of his attitudes. No longer sympathetic to the use of violence to end violence, he criticized Sartre's external justification of communist violence as 'magical' and advocated instead a new liberalism combining parliamentary democracy with an awareness of the social problems of industrial capitalism.

Barry Cooper's study of this important contemporary thinker gives context for an understanding of Merleau- Ponty's politics and, in so doing, brings together the complex issues and ideas that have shaped modern European political and philosophical thought. 

More books from University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division

Cover of the book Striker Schneiderman by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Colonial Justice by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book The Aesthetics of Nostalgia by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Economics in the Twenty-First Century by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Poems by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Essays on Chaucerian Irony by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Mirror up to Shakespeare by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Diaminds by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Modern Realism in English-Canadian Fiction by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book A Sea of Languages by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book By Himself by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Dire Straits by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book Alliances by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book The Measure of Democracy by Barry Cooper
Cover of the book The Wireless Spectrum by Barry Cooper
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy