Date: Fri, 23 Aug 1996 20:09:23 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: *Marx, Hayek, and Utopia*


i would like to spend sometimes discussing Chris Sciabarra's recent (but 
not most recent) publication *Marx, Hayek, and Utopia* (here after MHU).  
First, i believe it important to comend Chris on an honest attempt to 
open up a discourse between "liberialism" and "radicalism".  Emphasizing the 
importance of internal relations, (Marxian) contradiction, and unintended 
consequences.  

Sciabarra aruges that there exists a common Marxian and Hayekian 
commitment to dialecitical (logic or) method, and critique of utopian 
biases or dogmaticism.

Sciabarra defines a dialectical method as one that (1) emphasizes the 
sociohistorical presence of a society and individuals; (2) a recogition 
of internal relationships between individuals themselves and 
between the individual and society; and (3) limits of human rationality and 
human action (which gives rise to unintended consquences).

The critique of utopianism is a critique of the nondialectical or 
dogmatic epistomological and ontological constructs which limit the 
possibilities of (social) change and (social) transformation.

This book i do not understand to be any type of synthesis of "liberalism" 
and "radicalism", but an attempt to understand and listen to the one 
another's arguments. 

Interesting, Sciabarra seems to maintain the common (dialectical) 
methodological commitment will prove decisive in theoritical debates.

My first reaction in general, or feel for the book (in my words, not 
Chris's), is that Sciabarra's argument is toward the re-construction of 
radicalism and the left in general.  He seems to suggest that we should 
have hope about the future, but that there are certain limits to this 
(rational) future, which radicalism has tended to trivalize, leading to 
a particular weakness on the left.

Sciabarra expresses that the radical project can benefit from a dialogue 
with the less radicalists, like Hayek.  That is Hayek has taken serious 
the limits of human reason and rationality, understanding the 
epistemological limits on transforming social reality for the better.

i do have many disagreements, and remain critical of Sciabarra's effort, 
but agree that it is very important to open a discourse between the 
radical left and the more liberal left (e.g. Hayek and Rand; and perhaps 
Keynes, Sraffa, and Schumpeter).

In posts to follow i will discuss specific topic and sections of Chris's 
book, offer my interpretation and critique.  i hope that others attempt 
to obtain a copy of this book and enage in this discussion.

hans d.


     --- from list marxism2-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---