Cornel West and Marxist Humanism

Christian Fuchs

doi:10.1177/0896920520988314

Abstract

Humanity has experienced an explosion of anti-humanism in the form of authoritarian capitalism, postmodern filter bubbles, and global problems. Marxist/Socialist Humanism is the proper answer to the deep crisis of humanity. In this context, this article asks ‘How can Cornel West’s works inform a contemporary Marxist humanist theory of society?’ Taking West’s works as a starting point, what are the key elements of a Marxist humanist theory of society? Cornel West is one of the leading critical intellectuals today. His work has fused anti-racist theory, Black Liberation Theology, Marxist theory, pragmatism, and existentialism. This article especially focuses on West’s understanding of humanism and culture. It shows how his works and praxis can inform the reinvigoration of Marxist Humanism in the age of authoritarian capitalism as a socialist response. West’s thought can and should also inform the analysis of alienation, exploitation, domination, culture, the public sphere, the critique of ideology, and popular culture.

Highlights

Foundations of Marxist HumanismThis article asks and tries to answer the following questions: How can Cornel West’s works inform a contemporary Marxist humanist theory of society? Taking West’s works as a starting point, what are the key elements of a Marxist humanist theory of society?The approach this article takes is theoretical in nature
West advances a Hegelian–Marxist concept of alienation as disempowerment and de-humanisation. He argues that forms of domination such as capitalism, racism, and patriarchy disempower and dehumanise individuals, which means that they do not allow them to realise their capacities and full potentials
This article dealt with the following two questions: How can Cornel West’s works inform a contemporary Marxist humanist theory of society? Taking West’s works as a starting point, what are the key elements of a Marxist humanist theory of society?

Summary

Introduction

This article asks and tries to answer the following questions: How can Cornel West’s works inform a contemporary Marxist humanist theory of society? Taking West’s works as a starting point, what are the key elements of a Marxist humanist theory of society?. The discussion of West’s theory and the update of Marxist Humanism inspired by West focus on key aspects of Marxist humanist theory – namely alienation, organic intellectuality, praxis, culture, and the critique of ideology. He considers it important ‘to keep alive the sense of alternative ways of life and of struggles based on the best of the past’ (West, 1989: 229) His focus on praxis is oriented on social struggles for a good society that fosters the common good for all humans. West is a very active speaker who gives many talks, interviews and participates in a variety of events He sees books as an important public intervention into intellectual life, culture, politics and society. West’s humanism is different from the Althusserian structuralism that has influenced thinkers such as Hall, in whose works we can hardly find human beings that act, but rather structures that act (Fuchs, 2019: 4–6; 2017: 759–760)

Conclusion

14. Darmstadt