Marx and Ethics (Clarendon Paperbacks) - Softcover

Kain, Philip J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198239327 ISBN 13: 9780198239321

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1994

Synopsis

This book traces the development of Marx's ethics as they underwent various shifts and changes during different periods of his thought. In his early writings, his ethics are based on a concept of essence much like Aristotle's which Marx tries to link to a principle of universalization similar to Kant's 'categorical imperative'. In the period 1845-6 Marx abandoned this view, holding morality to be incompatible with his historical materialism. In the later writings Marx is less of a determinist, and he no longer wants to reject morality. However he does want to transcend a morality of burdensome obligation and constraint so as to realize a community built upon spontaneous bonds of solidarity.

About this title

Review:

`Marx and Ethics is an important and timely work which, besides offering a novel and plausible account of the development of Marx's ethical thinking, should furnish Marx's followers with at least some of the materials necessary for constructing a theory of justice of a more philosophically coherent and morally compelling kind than they have offered in the past.'Journal of Applied Philosophy

`Marx and Ethics is a distinguished contribution ... Kain has provided a thoughtful and focused treatment of his subject.' Times Literary Supplement

'This book is a noteworthy and sometimes stimulating contribution to our understanding of Marx's ethical thought ... solid and schoarly study.' A.M. Shandro, International Studies in Philosophy

'In recent years a number of different kinds of books have been published on Marx and ethics, and Kain's text is an invaluable addition to this particular genre.'Robert B. Louden, University of Southern Maine, Studies in Soviet Thought, 44, 1992

`This is a clear and scholarly account of Marx's position on ethics, based on a careful reading of the texts.Margaret A. Majumdar, University of Westminster, The Journal of Communist Studies

From the Back Cover:

This book traces the development of Marx's ethics as they underwent various shifts and changes during diffent periods of his thought.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0198239327
• ISBN 13: 9780198239321
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240