File spoon-archives/marxism-international.archive/marxism-international_1997/97-03-28.125, message 67


Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 21:17:57 -0500 (EST)
From: klo_mckinsey-AT-K12.MEC.OHIO.GOV
Subject: M-I: My Reply to Antonio


I sent the following reply to Antonio Mota

BACK THEN I SAID,

>
> Antonio
>
> You might note my replies to Austin and Levy when they said the basic
> theory is not dialectical materialism.  I feel rather confident that
> Austin does not really understand what these concepts mean.  He seems to
> engage in bluff as if by using enough big words no one will challenge
him.
>



ANTONIO NOW REPLIES WITH,

I don't know if I agree with you. It seems to me that Austin indeed
understands what dialetic materialism and historical materialism is, and
 that he is twisting is own understanding to achieve one goal, namelly
 "Marx is good but Marxism is not", or "Marxism id good but Leninism and
Stalinism is not".



AND NOW I AM SAYING,

     Although I have not been on this list very long, based upon what I
have seen so far, I still have strong doubts.  Perhaps a clearer picture
will come through in our subsequent exchanges.  He doesn't seem to have a
handle on what dialectics is all about and has opted for the more familiar
word "historical."  He doesn't seem to realize that historical materialism
is only one aspect, one branch of dialectical materialism.  The latter is
much broader and encompasses non-life sciences and non-human life sciences
as well.
      I have read few comments by him with respect to Joe Stalin other 
than some unsubstantiated diatribes. 



ANTONIO CONTINUES,

Your points are, of course, very well taken. This same discussion 
emerged some time ago and they get away with the argument "where it is
writen". Not this time, I think this time they have no other way except
rubish sayings.



MY REPLY,

     They are putting far to much emphasis on the actual phrase being
visually seen and not the concept--dialectical materialism--which
permeates the writings of Marx and Engels.


ANTONIO CONCLUDES WITH,

BTW, are you also on the LeninList? I've subscribed some time ago and
it seems a good place to be, in spite of the current desorganization
(it's a manual list, some days I get no messages and others a lot of
them). I'm even considering unsubscribe from M-I and concentrate on LL
Best regards,
Antonio Mota



AND MY CONCLUDING REPLY IS,

     At this stage of the game I have very little interest in discussing
only with those with whom I am in substantial agreement.  I much prefer
interaction with those who do not think Marx, Engels, Lenin, or Stalin had
it together.  How can we increase our numbers if we only talk to those who
are already convinced and how can we convince, if we do not first show
people what is wrong with what they already have. 
     In closing, let me say that I appreciate the general tenor or your 
comments.

3/27/97




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