The Ethics of Struggle

Abstract

T HE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN Marxism and ethics continues to attract sharply divergent arguments. Contributions to this debate coalesce around two positions. One position insists that a revolutionary faithful to the Marxist tradition cannot claim successfully to have an grounded in Marxism. The metatheory implicit in Marx's writings contains too many deficiencies to allow for philosophically defensible ethics. Consequently, is senseless to want to develop a specifically 'Marxist' ethics.' Marx describes an outlook for politics that is decent without being moral.2 [T]he attainment of justice does not, in itself, play a significant role in either Marxian theory or Marxian practice....3 [M]arxism has from its beginning exhibited a certain approach to moral questions that has disabled it from offering moral resistance to measures taken in its name......4 The other position responds that Marxism and ethics are compatible. Marx's writings are replete with moral dimensions.5 Marx's ethic of virtue is integrally part of his scientific views.6 Socialism is an ethically superior world view.7 The revolutionary tradition is historically responsible for fewer iniquities than is its conservative opposition.8 The preceding does not exhaust the directions this debate has taken and will take. Much intellectual terrain remains to be occupied and defended. In the meantime, militant activists will join political struggles. Some of those struggles will be complicit in socialist traditions. Some of those militants will want to act ethically. Can they do so?