The Illusion of the Epoch: Marxism-Leninism as a Philosophical Creed - Softcover

Acton, H. B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0865973946 ISBN 13: 9780865973947

Publisher: Liberty Fund, Inc., 2003

Synopsis

Written nearly fifty years ago, at a time when the world was still wrestling with the concepts of Marx and Lenin, The Illusion of the Epoch is the perfect resource for understanding the roots of Marxism-Leninism and its implications for philosophy, modern political thought, economics, and history. As Professor Tim Fuller has written, this is not an intemperate book, but rather an effort at a sustained, scholarly argument against Marxian views.”

Far from demonizing his subject, Acton scrupulously notes where Marx’s account of historical and economic events and processes is essentially accurate. However, Acton also points out that Marx is generally right about things that were already widely known and accepted in his own time and indeed had been long understood in the nineteenth century. On the other hand, Acton shows that in many cases Marx either is simply wrong or has stated his views so as to render his theories immune to disproof. Acton also explains why the embodiment of Marxist-Leninist theory in an actual social order would require coercive support if it were not, sooner or later, to collapse of its own contradictions.

H.B. Acton (1908 1974) taught at Bedford College (London), the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Chicago; was editor of Philosophy, the influential journal of the British Royal Institute of Philosophy; and wrote, among other books, The Morals of Markets (1971; Liberty Fund, 1993) and The Philosophy of Language in Revolutionary France (1959).

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About this title

About the Author:

H B Acton (1908-1974) taught at Bedford College (London), the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Chicago; was editor of Philosophy, the influential journal of the British Royal Institute of Philosophy; and wrote, among other books, The Morals of Markets (1971; Liberty Fund, 1993) and The Philosophy of Language in Revolutionary France (1959).

Review:

An admirable book, both in its lucidity and in its objectivity Political Quarterly

A book of inestimable utility - New Statesman

--The Illusion of the Epoch

About this edition

• Publisher: Liberty Fund, Inc.
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0865973946
• ISBN 13: 9780865973947
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 282