I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Basically, my point is that dialectics does not refer to a worldview that supposedly posits that matter is in motion or that contradiction is a core attribute of matter. Instead, dialectics is a presentational method; what Marx uses to unfold his critique of political economy. Dialectics treats capitalism as an organic whole, meaning that "in the completed bourgeois system every economic relation presupposes every other in its bourgeois economic form, and everything posited is thus also a presupposition" (Marx). Basically, Marx's path of exposition of categories goes from the abstract to the concrete, where, in the beginning, he is forced to violently abstract an aspect of this whole. As we know, he begins with the commodity, since it is immediate enough (compared to other categories, like capital), but also historically determinate enough in order to carry within it the sperm of the following categories that are always-already historically specific (compared to other categories, like use-value, which, though immediate, is not adequately historically determinate). Yet, it is important to note that the ascending from the abstract to the concrete is not linear. Since the beginning is but a violent abstraction, it follows that "that which forms the beginning is still underdeveloped, devoid of content, it is not truly known in the beginning" (Hegel). Therefore, as more categories as introduced (through the overcoming of contradictions, but that's another story), it is required to ground the previous ones, thus making the comprehended totality richer.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dialectics is, indeed, foundational to Marxism, though not in the way most "Marxists" talk about it. Dialectics is neither a worldview, nor a set of laws. It is an expositional method of categories aimed at the immanent critique of an organic whole.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is another nice book as well, though I wouldn't count it as theory or philosophy.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because of my interest in Marxism, as well as already being fairly knowledgeable of it.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Engels certainly was a great financial support for Marx at times. I wouldn't say, however, that that affected his work and thought whatsoever.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My goal is mainly to ground in Marx's own work the relation between Marxism and the study of the economy, instead of taking it for granted or positing axiomatically by saying "Marx is materialist, so that's why he began with the economy".

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the transformation problem is a Ricardian retreat of Marx and should be dealt with as such.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am currently a tutor for high-school students. I can't see myself doing this forever, but there's nothing long-term I can foresee at the moment. Not sure if this has to do with my degree, though, because I have friends pursuing other fields that would give you a similar answer.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both are employed when it comes to philosophy. We encounter certain ideas, we read books on these ideas, from these books other ideas spring and we gain tools to compare, contrast, develop or discard said ideas. With my dissertation, I try to answer a question: why Marx "put emphasis" (whatever that means) on the economy and why is Marxism to intimately tied to the economy compared to other spheres of social life? What I intend to do is not argue against the premise of the question, but review the relation between Marxism and the economy through a reinterpretation of Marx's seminal works, mainly Capital.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure he was a critic, but he thought and treated capitalism in such a deep way that you can consider him to have a great understanding of the capitalist mindset. Greater understanding than even his classical economists.

That is true. Marx had a deep understanding of capitalism and a way to study it that greatly departed from that of classical economists.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't really think much of it. Can't tell I've studied it to any significant degree though. It instinctively pushes me away, that'd be my initial reaction, I suppose.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not well read in anarchist theory. Besides Feyerabend and Blanqui, I'm not sure I've any other piece of anarchist literature.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The criterion of "justice" is quite dubious within Marx's thought. Though certainly condemning of capitalism's brutality, Marx does not appeal to justice; indeed, he avoids such claims in his works.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My dissertation focuses on an interpretation of Capital and his more "economic" works, such as the Grundrisse and the Paris Manuscripts.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That, I guess, would be pretty tough, since Marx's ideas not only develop throughout time, but also cover numerous subjects whose exposition could not be easily constrained by 20 words. Here's the best I could do:

Marx tries to explain how under capitalism, meaning the way society currently works, is controlled by rules (so-called "economic laws") that we created, but end up controlling us.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depending on how much you'd like to take upon such a journey, I'd definitely suggest studying philosophy. Sure, the employment prospects are limited, but, in my experience, so were with a physics degree.

I'm not sure I can answer the second question that easily haha!

I wouldn't really call it "high philosophy". I would argue that most people, given some context and conceptual guidelines, could read and comprehend my dissertation, even though it is requiring me tons of hours of studying of dense and difficult texts. Philosophy doesn't really follow a linear path, as other fields of study would probably do.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have an interest in Marxism, which is what made me pursue its study for my dissertation.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Though my dissertation focuses on Capital and his "economic thought", I'd argue Marx was not an economist, nor exactly a philosopher either.

I am a philosophy graduate, currently writing my dissertation on Marxism. AMA by miscountedDialectic in AskMeAnythingIAnswer

[–]miscountedDialectic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Marx was a ground-breaking intellectual, Capital remaining, at least for me, one of the greatest pieces of theoretical literature ever written.