Two qualms about functionalist marxism
Philosophy of Science 57 (4):631-643 (1990)
Authors | |
Abstract |
In Karl Marx's Theory of History: A Defence (1978), G. A. Cohen has developed a distinctively functionalist interpretation of historical materialism. In this paper I outline Cohen's novel reconstruction of Marx and subject it to two independent internal criticisms. I first argue that explanations cannot conform to Cohen's functionalist model. I then suggest that even if there could be explanations having the structure he has proposed, they would fail to be helpful in illuminating the causal kernel of Marx's theory. Finally I sketch a neglected but more promising approach to clarifying historical materialism, due to Geoffrey Hellman
|
Keywords | No keywords specified (fix it) |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
DOI | 10.1086/289583 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
No references found.
Citations of this work BETA
Functions in Jurisprudential Methodology.Kenneth M. Ehrenberg - 2013 - Philosophy Compass 8 (5):447-456.
Similar books and articles
A Functionalist Theory of Properties.Ann Whittle - 2008 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 77 (1):59-82.
Marxism and the Dialectical Method: A Critique of G.A. Cohen.Sean Sayers - 1984 - Radical Philosophy 36 (36):4-13.
A Critique of the Technological Interpretation of Historical Materialism.David A. Duquette - 1992 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences 22 (2):157-186.
Functional Explanation, Consequence Explanation, and Marxism.G. A. Cohen - 1982 - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy 25 (1):27 – 56.
Marx and the Logic of Social Theory: The Capitalist State.Ted W. Meckstroth - 2000 - Science and Society 64 (1):55 - 86.
Is It Immaterial That There's a 'Material' in 'Historical Materialism'?Charles W. Mills - 1989 - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy 32 (3):323 – 342.
The Functionalist Theory of Stratification: Two Decades of Controversy.George A. Huaco - 1966 - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy 9 (1-4):215 – 240.
Karl Marx's Theory of History, a Defense by G. A. Cohen; Marx's Theory of History by William H. Shaw.Henry Laycock - 1980 - Canadian Journal of Philosophy 10 (2):335-356.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2009-01-28
Total views
32 ( #270,846 of 2,271,738 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
13 ( #63,867 of 2,271,738 )
2009-01-28
Total views
32 ( #270,846 of 2,271,738 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
13 ( #63,867 of 2,271,738 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads