Karl Marx's Theory of Ideas
Karl Marx's Theory of Ideas
$55.00
USDKarl Marx's writings contain, besides economic analysis and the political theory of revolutionary communism, an influential sociology of ideas, explaining how social life shapes and distorts people's ideas and beliefs. This book presents a fresh critical study of this theory, establishing what Marx did and did not say, and distinguishing the more scientific parts of his thought from those that were overly influenced by his revolutionary aims. The author argues that Marx's own theory of ideas can play an important role in explaining the subsequent degeneration of Marxist thought itself.
- Fresh 'un-Marxist' analysis of Marx's theories on ideology and false consciousness, a subject of continuing interest to political and social theorists
- Argues that Marx's ideas can be separated from the 'revolutionary' part of his thought, and can explain the degeneration of Marxist thought itself
- Also throws light on many recent debates in Marx studies on justice, morality and economics
Reviews & endorsements
"Torrance's book is packed with suggestive notions .... The issues raised in the book are indeed of lasting and contemporary importance." Richard D. Chessick, American Journal of Psychotherapy
"...Torrance operates in the analytical mode and aims to give the reader a plausible construal and defense of Marx's ideas -- at least in the area under discussion. And, in this aim, the book very largely succeeds." David McLellan, American Jounral of Sociology
Product details
June 2008Paperback
9780521066723
456 pages
229 × 152 × 26 mm
0.67kg
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Marxism versus Marx: what Marx's theory of ideology was not
- 2. Marx's theory of knowledge
- 3. The basis of false consciousness: theory
- 4. The basis of false consciousness: social being
- 5. Social consciousness
- 6. Ideology
- 7. Class struggle, consciousness and ideology
- 8. Justice
- 9. Morality
- 10. The sociology of political economy
- 11. Marx's science and Marxist ideology.
