Philosophy and the Spontaneous Philosophy of the Scientists: And Other Essays [Hardcover]

Louis Althusser (Author), Gregory Elliot (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0860912442 | ISBN-13: 978-0860912446 | Publication Date: March 1990

Collected here are Althusser's most significant philosophical writings from 1965 to 1978.

Intended to contribute, in his own words, to a "left-wing critique of Stalinism that would help put some substance back into the revolutionary project here in the West," they are the record of a shared history. At the same time they chart Althusser's critique of the theoretical system unveiled in his own major works, and his developing practice of philosophy as a "revolutionary weapon." Attesting to the unique place which Althusser has occupied in modern intellectual history - between a tradition of Marxism which he sought to reconstruct, and a "post-Marxism" which has eclipsed its predecessor - these texts are indispensable reading.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Louis Althusser: "One reads him with excitement. There is no mystery about his capacity to inspire the intelligent young." Eric Hobsbawm "Louis Althusser influenced so many discourses, actions and existences by the radiant and provocative force of his thought." Jacques Derrida --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Verso Books (March 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0860912442
• ISBN-13: 978-0860912446
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,572,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to find, but worth it, December 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Philosophy and the Spontaneous Philosophy of the Scientists & Other Essays (Paperback)

Considering the obscurity of this work, those who have found this review probably already know what they are looking for. I would add that it is worth the hunt.

The titular essay is the real reason to find this volume -- for the serious student of Althusser and Marxism in general, it is invaluable as a clarification of the pivotal term "science" as related to "ideology" and "philosophy" (to say nothing of "Theory"). Nowhere else in Althusser's work do we find a detailed discussion of science, though his most famous writing (i.e. the essay on Ideology and ISAs) relies heavily on the work done here to develop the concept.

For anyone who has come far enough to find this review, this is a must-have.

4.0 out of 5 stars In addition to the previous reviewer..., February 23, 2005

By 

Clandestino - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy and the Spontaneous Philosophy of the Scientists & Other Essays (Paperback)

...I would only add that Althusser's lectures here shed light on his understanding and use of Lenin in the more readily available essays "Lenin and Philosophy" and "Lenin Before Hegel," and, accordingly, on Althusser's view of philosophy vis-à-vis science and ideology. Althusser closes with an incisive analysis of Jacques Monod's inaugural lecture at the Collège de France. It is a pleasure to see some concrete analysis after so much theory.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a lovely surprise!, January 31, 2010

By 

K. MCGUIRK (RSA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Philosophy and the Spontaneous Philosophy of the Scientists & Other Essays (Paperback)

Getting hold of older publications can be problematic and I was very relieved to find not only a good price, but a copy in a very good condition. It also arrived within the time estimate given.

It would be helpful to know how one can get hold of a publication that is out of print.