1. Introduction to our critical Marxism - Ernesto Díaz

OBJECTIVES

General objective: introduce key themes and issues of the thought of Marx and our Marxism

Objective of the seperate presentations:

1. presentation: explain the rupture with Hegelian philosophy; explain the development of Marx' concept of 'praxis' or practice, summarized in the 'thesis'

2. presentation: explain how the criticism of religion and of speculative, abstract thought is Marx' precondition for all criticism; explain the next step after negating religion: the criticism of existing social relations

3. presentation: explain in introductory fashion some specific elements of Marx' critique of the capitalist mode of production

PRESENTATIONS AND READING MATERIALS

1º presentation. Marx, his times and his break with the Left-Hegelians

1º part - Required reading. Biographical remarks on Marx [1]

2º part - The theses on Feuerbach. Basic reading [2]

2º Presentation. From the criticism of religion to political economy

1º part - Marx, critic of religion

Basic reading: A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. Introduction [3]

2º part - Developing a materialist concept of history

Basic reading: A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy. Preface [4]

Recommended to go further: 'Marx for our Times', D. Bensaid

3º Presentation. The critique of political economy

Single part: fundamental elements of political economy

Ernest Mandel: Chapter 1, An Introduction to Marxist Economic Theory [5]