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Do we need Marx’s humanism today?
A panel discussion with Andrew Kliman, Anne Jaclard, Michael Fitzpatrick, and Alan Hudson –– Thurs. March 17 at 7:00 p.m.
In contrast to previous forms of humanism, Marx’s revolutionary philosophy stressed the need for working people to overcome capitalist society in order to begin the development of human-centred life. This panel discussion will feature four veterans of very disparate attempts to develop ideas adequate to class-struggle politics.
Marx’s view of wage workers as the subject of social change is often treated as outmoded. The panel will consider whether we need Marx’s philosophy, which he termed a thoroughgoing humanism. Is Enlightenment humanism a more important alternative for our times? Do we need to make a choice between different types of humanism? What is the relationship between political philosophy and social movements? Can philosophy help mass movements to break from capitalism and create socialism?
The meeting will launch Marxist-Humanist Initiative (MHI) in the UK. MHI argues that Marx’s philosophy is essential to the revolutionary process today. We see ideas about freedom being developed by youth, women, national minorities, and LGBTQ people, as well as workers, as bringing new dimensions to the process of social change.
Speaking for Marxist-Humanist Initiative will be, from the U.S., noted economist Andrew Kliman and Anne Jaclard, Organizational Secretary of MHI. Joining them on the panel will be Michael Fitzpatrick, writer, and Alan Hudson of the Institute of Ideas.
This meeting will encourage audience participation. Suggested donation to cover room hire: £5. No one will be turned away.
7:00 p.m., Thursday 17th March 2016
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EP
Nearest tubes: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn
Sponsored by Marxist-Humanist Initiative –– www.marxist-humanist-initiative.org
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MHI was established in New York in 2009, following the breakup of older organizations. Building on the work of Raya Dunayevskaya, who developed Marxist-Humanism over much of the last century, MHI seeks to rescue and develop Marx’s revolutionary humanist philosophy from the distorted interpretations spread by state-identified Marxism and recent leftism.
The speakers:
Michael Fitzpatrick is a doctor, writer, and former founding member of the Revolutionary Communist Party.
Alan Hudson is co-convenor of the Institute of Ideas’ “University of a Day.” He is a professor of sociology and contemporary history at Kellogg College, University of Oxford, where he is Director of Programmes in Leadership and Public Policy. His most recent work has been on the relationship between citizens and cities, with reference to urban planning and group and national identity.
Andrew Kliman is professor emeritus of economics at Pace University in New York and author of Reclaiming Marx’s “Capital”: A Refutation of the Myth of Inconsistency, and The Failure of Capitalist Production, Underlying Causes of the Great Recession. He and Nick Potts recently co-edited Is Marx’s Theory of Profit Right? He works politically with Marxist-Humanist Initiative and writes for its web journal, With Sober Senses.
Anne Jaclard is Organizational Secretary of Marxist-Humanist Initiative. She is a long-time activist in and writer about U.S. social movements and international solidarity movements, including grassroots women’s and civil society movements around the world. Her current concentration is on the theoretical relationship of philosophy to organization and to revolution.