Karl Marx Selected Writings In Sociology and Social Philosophy

Rating:
Summary: Selected Writings
Review: As the back of the book states, this book is a good way to become acquainted with the thoughts of Karl Marx. It provides insight into his thoughts on the economic theory of human development, and the effect of history as well. It also deals with the social classes, revolution, and the future. A good way to become familiar with the social philosophy of Marx.

Rating:
Summary: Marxism distilled
Review: Tom Bottomore's collection is the best place to start to understand Marxist thought. This book was put together in light of the publication in the '60s of many of Marx's early works which had been previously unavailable. They outline the roots of Marx's mature philosophy from a perspective that's more libertarian and romantic than his later writings indicate. Taking on the mature Marx is a daunting task and so it helps to be aware of how his thought was formed. A person can get caught up in his arcane discussions of the formation of commodities while missing the essential points, or caught up with thinking about value and the labor theory of value without getting why they're important in the first place, so leaving much of that out is no great loss for the beginner. The most important aspect of this book, though, has to be that it shatters the notion that Marxism is a closed, hermeneutic, system which only makes self-referential sense. If you think that Marx only makes sense if you already believe in Marxism read this book to be disabused of you're notions.

Rating:
Summary: Marxism distilled
Review: Tom Bottomore's collection is the best place to start to understand Marxist thought. This book was put together in light of the publication in the `60s of many of Marx's early works which had been previously unavailable. They outline the roots of Marx's mature philosophy from a perspective that's more libertarian and romantic than his later writings indicate. Taking on the mature Marx is a daunting task and so it helps to be aware of how his thought was formed. A person can get caught up in his arcane discussions of the formation of commodities while missing the essential points, or caught up with thinking about value and the labor theory of value without getting why they're important in the first place, so leaving much of that out is no great loss for the beginner. The most important aspect of this book, though, has to be that it shatters the notion that Marxism is a closed, hermeneutic, system which only makes self-referential sense. If you think that Marx only makes sense if you already believe in Marxism read this book to be disabused of you're notions.