Enlightenment Reason and Modernity: Marx's Critical Reconstruction. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tongfang, Liu
• Is Part Of: Social sciences in China. Volume 37:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Marx -- enlightenment reason -- modernity -- postmodernity -- logic of capital; 马克思 -- 启蒙理性 -- 现代性 -- 后现代性 -- 资本逻辑; China -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; China -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; China -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300.951
• DOI: 10.1080/02529203.2016.1162002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0252-9203

Abstract

Abstract : Reflection on and criticism of enlightenment reason is an indispensable part of the Enlightenment itself. It is an important counterbalance to the Enlightenment myth and the crisis of modernity, as well as being a major theoretical subject for political philosophy in the age of globalization. This reflection and criticism must be grasped and examined from both the external perspective of socio-historical requirements and the internal perspective of intellectual history. While giving full credit to the achievements of Enlightenment reason and modernity, we need to review their inherent conflicts, reveal the resultant social crisis, and sort out, reflect on and reference postmodernism's denunciation of Enlightenment reason and the crisis of modernity in order to provide a more far-reaching solution to these issues. Marx turned the critique of Enlightenment reason and modernity into a critical reconstruction of the logic of capital and the capitalist mode of production, seeing the resolution of these evils as lying in transcendence of capitalist private ownership. In this way, he brought the critique of Enlightenment reason to a climax and showed modern society a way to more advanced development.