A New Practice of Philosophy Flashcards
Why does the author reject the notion of a fixed “Marxist philosophy”?
Viewing Marxism as a fixed philosophy confines it within traditional bourgeois philosophical models, reducing its revolutionary and transformative potential.
What is meant by a “Marxist position in philosophy”?
It emphasizes active engagement in philosophical struggle, rejecting rigid systems and challenging dominant ideological frameworks.
How does the establishment of a new science differ from the development of a new philosophy?
A new science emerges through a clear “break,” abandoning old frameworks, whereas a new philosophy engages in continuous struggle within existing discourse.
What are the “rules of the battle” in the philosophical battlefield?
Established norms and methods of discourse shaped by dominant ideologies and power structures.
What conventional philosophical rules does the author suggest revolutionary philosophy should reject?
The need for a closed system, pursuit of absolute Truth or Meaning, and reliance on external validation.
Why does the author critique the term “philosophy of praxis”?
It risks idealist interpretations, prioritizing abstract notions of praxis over material conditions and struggles.
How did revisionists like Bernstein interpret Marx’s contributions?
They viewed Marx’s work as a science of history that could be paired with any compatible philosophy, including bourgeois ideas.
What was Stalin’s interpretation of philosophy within a Marxist framework?
He treated philosophy as a science incorporating Marxist historical theory, often dogmatically and rigidly.
How did the bourgeois philosophical model influence interpretations of Marxism?
It framed philosophy as a system encompassing all things, reducing Marxism to another form of idealist thought.
Why is associating Marxism with idealist philosophers like Kant or Husserl problematic?
It shifts focus away from material conditions central to Marxism, risking a detour into abstract, non-materialist interpretations.
What does the author mean by the “continuity of a millennial struggle” in philosophy?
Philosophy develops through ongoing engagement in historical struggles, rather than starting anew like a science.
What concern does the author have about “economism” in Marxist thought?
Economism overemphasizes economic factors, neglecting the broader material and ideological conditions of social change.
What is praxis in Marxist philosophy?
The combination of theory and action aimed at transformative change in the material world.
How does revolutionary philosophy aim to “disconcert” its adversaries?
By rejecting conventional rules that support dominant ideologies and introducing new ways of thinking.
Why does the author prefer a dynamic “practice of philosophy” over a fixed philosophical system?
It allows Marxism to remain adaptable, responsive to struggles, and aligned with the revolutionary class’s perspective.
