A Normative or Value Dimension to Marxism: Recent Attempts in the West

Western Marxist theorists have devoted very little attention to the moral or ethical dimension of their vocation. This is attributed to an attempt to keep Marxism "scientific," an attempt which is however based upon a false view of science as value free. Two very recent works which have re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International political science review 1982, Vol.3 (2), p.246-253
Main Authors: Fields, A. Belden, Narr, Wolf-Dieter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Capitalism
Ethics
Labor theories of value
Marxian economics
Marxism
Moral judgment
Moral relativism
Morality
Social ethics
Socialism
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Summary:Western Marxist theorists have devoted very little attention to the moral or ethical dimension of their vocation. This is attributed to an attempt to keep Marxism "scientific," an attempt which is however based upon a false view of science as value free. Two very recent works which have recognized the problem and have attempted to establish a comprehensive Marxist ethical theory are then examined. One attempts to ground a Marxist ethics in the labor theory of value; the other, in group affiliation and relationships. The theories are described and criticized. The article concludes with a set of propositions which the authors are convinced are essential for orienting future work in this area. /// Cet article souligne que les théoriciens marxistes occidentaux ont prêté jusqu'ici très peu d'attention à la dimension morale de leur vocation. Ceci vient de leur effort pour garder au marxisme une base "scientifique", un effort qui est néanmoins lié a une fausse vision de la science comme libre de valeurs. L'article examine ensuite deux ouvrages très récents qui ont reconnu l'existence du problème et qui ont tenté de fonder une éthique marxiste globale. L'un essaie d'établir une éthique marxiste sur la théorie de la valeur-travail, l'autre sur l'appartenance aux groupes et leurs rapports. L'article contient une approche descriptive et critique de ces théories. Il se termine sur une série de propositions dont les auteurs sont convaincus qu'elles sont essentielles pour l'orientation de tout travail ultérieur dans ce domaine.
ISSN:0192-5121
1460-373X
DOI:10.1177/019251218200300212