Abstract

This essay examines the surprising turn in Georg Lukács’ thinking from a radical bourgeois intellectual to a dogmatic Marxist and party communist on the bases of his autobiographical writings. What were the reasons? How convincing are these reasons? How consistent at all is Lukács’ thinking? The autobiographical texts show that Lukács has an almost ostentatious need for self-justification. They also show that Lukács after his ideological turn always moves strictly within an imaginary orthodox line of Marxism. He abandons free thought and subordinates it to political power. Lukács is unable to separate between science and worldview. As a result, he gets caught up in contradictions. The essay sees itself as a contribution to philosophical biographical research.