DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss whether Marxism can be considered a form of religion or dogma. They analyze the similarities and differences between Marxism and religious faiths, addressing critiques that Marxism is just a secular version of Christianity mixed with the Enlightenment idea of progress. The hosts argue that while there are some formal similarities, the content and methods of Marxism are fundamentally different from religion.
The hosts acknowledge that Marxism, like religion, can provide a sense of meaning, purpose, and a vision of the future. However, they contend that Marxism is grounded in a materialist, scientific analysis of reality rather than metaphysical or supernatural beliefs. They also differentiate Marxism from the concept of inevitable progress, arguing that it recognizes the possibility of regression or extinction.
The hosts emphasize that Marxism is open-ended, experimental, and subject to falsification, unlike dogmatic religious beliefs. They argue that Marxism's self-critical nature and ability to act upon and change reality set it apart from religion. They also suggest that post-structuralist critiques of Marxism as a new religion can be applied to any system of thought, including science.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Marxism shares some formal similarities with religion, such as providing a sense of meaning, purpose, and a vision of the future.
- However, Marxism is fundamentally different from religion in its materialist, scientific approach and openness to falsification.
- Marxism is grounded in the analysis of concrete material reality, not metaphysical or supernatural beliefs.
- While Marxism recognizes an evolutionary process in human societies, it does not equate this with the concept of inevitable progress.
- Marxism is open-ended, experimental, and subject to real-world testing and updating, unlike dogmatic religious beliefs.
- Marxism's self-critical nature and ability to act upon and change reality distinguish it from religion.
- Post-structuralist critiques of Marxism as a new religion can be applied to any system of thought, including science.
- While Marxism may fulfill a similar psychological need as religion, it provides a different type of understanding and guidance based on analysis rather than dogma.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So I think this is an interesting and worthwhile exploration, and actually one that I've, you know, try to find outlets to kind of tackle this, because this is an interesting criticism of our politics in general.“ by Breht
- “For Marxists at least, we are materialists, meaning we base nothing on anything metaphysical, supernatural, or unknowable, but rather focus, as we must, on the concrete material reality we find ourselves in.“ by Breht
- “Meaning our tradition is open ended, experimental, updatable, and always subject to real world testing and falsifiability.“ by Breht
- “The nice thing is that Marxism as an analytic, which is critical of literally everything, is also a solution to dog dogma, right? It has a self critical bent to it that religion does not have. That is distinct and useful for avoiding that.“ by Allison
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Episode Information
Revolutionary Left Radio
Revolutionary Left Radio
12/15/22
Breht responds to the criticism that Marxism is just Christianity mixed with the Enlightenment concept of Progress; that it is basically just a religious faith...
Listen to the full episode here: https://redmenace.libsyn.com/desert