Theory of Need in Marx

The basic discoveries underlying Marx's critique of political economy - labour power, surplus value, use value - are all in some way built upon the concept of need. From Marx's varying and passing interpretations of a theory of need, Agnes Heller unravels the main tendencies and demonstrates the importance which Marx attached to the "restructuring" of a system of needs going beyond the purely material.

She also brings out those aspects, especially the idea of "radical needs" which point to revolutionary activity and to the project which Marx could only foresee but which for us today is of real urgency: the "society of associated producers". Thus Agnes Heller's study is not only the first full presentation of a fundamental aspect of Marx, but the basis for a discussion of the utmost contemporary relevance.

About the author

Born in Budapest in 1929, Agnes Heller was Professor Emerita of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research in New York City. A student and colleague of Georg Lukács during her years at the University of Budapest, Heller is highly acclaimed for her contributions to Marxist philosophy. She received numerous awards for her work, including the Hannah Arendt Prize, the Sonning Prize, and the Goethe Medal.

Report

For almost 30 years Agnes Heller has been recognized as one of the leading thinkers to emerge from the tradition of Western Marxist critical theory. John Grumley, University of Sydney

Product details

• Authors: Agnes Heller, Ágnes Heller, Heller Agnes
• Publisher: Verso
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 17.04.2018
• EAN: 9781786636126
• ISBN: 978-1-78663-612-6
• No. of pages: 144
• Series: Radical Thinkers; Radical Thinkers Set 16
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology; PHILOSOPHY / Political, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, Far-left political ideologies and movements, Marxism & Communism