Philosophy
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The lecture on “The Communist Manifesto” emphasizes its historical significance and ongoing relevance in contemporary discourse. It explores the text’s insights on capitalism, class struggle, and Marxist theory, alongside a critique of its predictions and enduring themes such as alienation and inequality in today’s global economy.
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Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) was a pivotal French existentialist philosopher whose works examined human freedom and responsibility in an indifferent universe. His book “Being and Nothingness” established foundational existentialist ideas. A prolific novelist and playwright, he also engaged in political activism and declined the Nobel Prize in Literature, emphasizing intellectual independence.
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Marxist humanism emphasizes human freedom, drawing from early Marx’s ideas on alienation and emancipation. Emerging in the 1960s, it critiqued bureaucratic socialism, blending Marxism with Hegelian themes. The tradition addresses global issues like decolonization, ecology, and social justice, advocating for a socialism centered on human dignity and needs.
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Félix Guattari (1930–1992) was a French psychoanalyst and philosopher renowned for co-authoring “Anti-Oedipus” with Gilles Deleuze, proposing schizoanalysis which critiqued capitalism’s effects on desire. His later works, like “The Three Ecologies,” promoted ecological and social justice, influencing contemporary philosophy, activism, and therapeutic practices until his death in 1992.
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My Socialist Hall of Fame During this chaotic era of vile rhetoric and manipulative tactics from our so-called bourgeois leaders, I am invigorated by the opportunity to reflect on Socialists, Revolutionaries, Philosophers, Guerrilla Leaders, Partisans, and Critical Theory titans, champions, and martyrs who paved the way for us—my own audacious “Socialism’s Hall of Fame.” These
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Andreas Malm is a notable Swedish scholar, author, and associate professor whose work focuses on human ecology, environmental history, and political ecology. He examines the relationship between capitalism and climate change, advocating for radical climate activism. His influential writings include “Fossil Capital” and “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” emphasizing ecological justice.
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Nancy Fraser’s “Cannibal Capitalism” critiques contemporary capitalism, arguing it exploits democracy, care, and the environment. Through six chapters, it examines systemic racism, undervalued care work, and ecological crises, while proposing a socialist vision. Although it offers deep insights, its dense language may limit accessibility and practical solutions.
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Nancy Fraser, an influential American philosopher and critical theorist, specializes in political philosophy, feminist theory, and social criticism. Known for her dual framework of “redistribution and recognition,” Fraser critiques neoliberalism and capitalism’s effects on democracy. Her work addresses social justice, gender, race, and class, advocating for inclusive democratic deliberation.
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Between 2015 and 2025, Marxist philosophy revived globally, reshaping itself through dialogues with feminism, critical race theory, and ecological thought. Influential figures emerged in various regions, enriching traditional Marxism by addressing contemporary socio-economic and environmental issues. This evolution reflects Marxism’s adaptability in confronting modern challenges and diverse forms of oppression.
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Marx’s theory of alienation, addressing workers’ estrangement under capitalism, remains relevant today. Contemporary theorists like Harvey, Fraser, and Žižek extend this concept to digital labor and ecological crises, emphasizing how modern capitalism deepens alienation through technological control and environmental degradation. Structural changes are essential for overcoming these pervasive estrangements.
Letters from Tomis 