Philosophy and the Spontaneous Philosophy of the Scientists: And Other Essays

Collected here are Althusser's most significant philosophical writings from 1965 to 1978.Intended to contribute, in his own words, to a "left-wing critique of Stalinism that would help put some substance back into the revolutionary project here in the West," they are the record of a shared history. At the same time they chart Althusser's critique of the theoretical system unveiled in his own major works, and his developing practice of philosophy as a "revolutionary weapon." Attesting to the unique place which Althusser has occupied in modern intellectual history - between a tradition of Marxism which he sought to reconstruct, and a "post-Marxism" which has eclipsed its predecessor - these texts are indispensable reading. The publication in 1965 of For Marx and Reading Capital established Louis Althusser as one of the most original and controversial figures in the Western Marxist tradition; a thinker whose renewal of Marxism was to enjoy great influence over the next decade. Collected here are Althussers most significant philosophical writings from 1965 to 1978; the majority previously untranslated. Intended to contribute, in his own words, to a left-wing critique of Stalinism that would help put some substance back into the revolutionary project here in the West, they are the record of a shared history. At the same time they chart Althussers critique of the theoretical system unveiled in his own major works, and his developing practice of philosophy as a revolutionary weapon. The collection opens with two lucid early articlesTheory, Theoretical Practice and Theoretical Formation and On Theoretical Work. The title pieceAlthussers celebrated lectures in the Philosophy Course for Scientistsis the fullest exploration of his new definition of philosophy as politics in the realm of theory; a conception which is further developed in Lenin and Philosophy. Is it Simple to be a Marxist in Philosophy? provides an invaluable account of Althussers intellectual development. The volume concludes with two little-known late piecesThe Transformation of Philosophy, in which the paradoxical history of Marxist philosophy is investigated; and Marxism Today, a sober balance-sheet of the Marxist tradition. Attesting to the unique place which Althusser has occupied in modern intellectual historybetween a tradition of Marxism which he sought to reconstruct, and a post-Marxism which has eclipsed its predecessorthese texts are indispensable reading. "What makes people love and die for nations, as well as hate and kill in their name? While many studies have been written on nationalist political movements, the sense of nationality -- the personal and cultural feeling of belonging to a nation -- has not received proportionate attention. In this widely acclaimed work, Benedict Anderson examines the creation and global spread of the 'imagined communities' of nationality. Anderson explores the processes that created these communities: the territorialization of religious faiths, the decline of antique kingship, the interaction between capitalism and print, the development of vernacular languages-of-state, and changing conceptions of time. He shows how an originary nationalism born in the Americas was modularly adopted by popular movements in Europe, by the imperialist powers, and by the anti-imperialist resistances in Asia and Africa. This revised edition includes two new chapters, one of which discusses the complex role of the colonialist state's mindset in the development of Third World nationalism, while the other analyses the processes by which, all over the world, nations came to imagine themselves as old." -- Provided by publisher Theory, Theoretical Practice, And Theoretical Formation -- On Theoretical Work -- Philosophy And The Spontaneous Philosophy Of The Scientists (1967) -- Lenin And Philosophy -- Is It Simple To Be A Marxist In Philosophy? -- The Transformation Of Philosophy -- Marxism Today. Louis Althusser ; Edited With An Introduction By Gregory Elliott ; Translated By Ben Brewster ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. marx2mao.net......Page 0 Philosophy and the Spontaneous Philosophy of Scientists......Page 1 Philosophy and the Spontaneous Philosophy of Scientists......Page 5