History and Human Existence: From Marx to Merleau-Ponty

By James Miller

Book Overview

From the Introduction: The present essay provides an introduction to the treatment of human existence and individuality in Marxist thought. The work will be primarily concerned with two related topics: the evaluation by Marxists of individual emancipation and their assessment of subjective factors in social theory. By taking up these taking up these topics within a systematic and historical framework, I hope to generate some fresh light on several familiar issues. First, I pursue a reading of Marx focused on his treatment of subjectivity, individuation, and related methodological and practical matters; second, I apply this interpretation to analyzing the dispute between Marxist orthodoxy and heterodoxy over such matters as class consciousness and the philosophy of materialism; finally, I employ this historical context to clarify the significance of "existential Marxism," Maurice Merleau-Ponty's and Jean-Paul Sartre's contribution to Marxist thought.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520047796
• ISBN13: 9780520047792
• Release Date: November 1982
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.3"