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Introduction
Introduction
• Schopenhauer and
Kierkegaard reacted against
Hegel’s philosophy.
• Karl Marx, the most
influential in rejecting
Hegel, aimed to ‘turn Hegel
upside down’ and replace
dialectical idealism with
dialectical materialism.
• This lecture explores their
backgrounds and key ideas.
Karl Marx’s Early Life
• Published in 1848.
• Highlights the history of
class struggles and the
need to abolish exploitation
and class distinctions.
• Famous closing sentences:
‘Working men of all
countries, unite’
Marx’s later life
• Marx lived in London, often
in poverty.
• Devoted himself to
developing dialectical
materialism.
• Wrote ‘Capital’ and
founded the First
International.
Marx’s legacy
• Marx’s predictions of
proletarian revolution did not
materialize, but his ideas
influenced political activism
and regimes.
• His theories, though not
purely scientific, continue to
shape political thought and
discussions on economic Women in the pro-communist Afghan militia in the
factor’s influence on society. early 1980s.
Introduction to
Phenomenology:
Origins and Objectives
Naturalism:
• Application of natural sciences methods
to all knowledge domains.
• Unsuccessful in providing a foundation for
human sciences.
• The philosopher’s task is to examine the
relationship between consciousness and
Being.
• Consciousness as the locus for
constituting and founding meaning.
Phenomenology vs.
Historicism
Historicism:
• Emphasizes thinkers immersion in a
historical setting.
• Implies relativism, which Husserl objected
to.
• Credit to Dilthey’s typification of
worldviews but rejection of the
skepticism of relativity.
• Distinction: History deals with facts, while
phenomenology deals with the
knowledge of essences.
Phenomenology'
s Goal and Objects