Marx and Contemporary Critical Theory

The book "Marx and Contemporary Critical Theory" offers a comprehensive analysis of the concept of 'Real Abstraction' in the writings of Karl Marx. It brings together an international and interdisciplinary team of scholars who examine the development and implications of this idea in the context of the capitalist social system. The publication is divided into two main parts: the first part reconstructs Marx's understanding of 'Real Abstraction' and highlights the influences of earlier thinkers such as Berkeley, Petty, Franklin, Feuerbach, and Hegel on his thoughts. Additionally, it discusses the further development of this concept by later Marxist theorists such as Sohn-Rethel, Lukács, Lefebvre, Adorno, and Postone. The second part addresses the implications of 'Real Abstraction' in critical theory, ranging from an abstract critique of capitalist social relations to a more concrete understanding of historical movements. The chapters thus provide a focused insight into the relevance and implications of Marx's concept of 'Real Abstraction'.