Geist der Utopie
Berlin: Paul Cassirer, 1923. Second edition. Hardcover. Quarto. [8], 365, [3]pp. Original cloth over green paper covered boards, with gold lettering on front cover and spine. In the "Spirit of Utopia", Bloch unites Marxism Jewish-Christian messianism by the common utopian element of both views: Hope, and faith in the fact that the world will and can become a better place. Bloch here set out to defend the attempts of humankind throughout history to create a humane world order, against the determinist socialism that viewed socialism as the inevitable result of history. With Marx and with the love and morality of religion, Bloch places man (that thinks of the common good) at the centre of his thinking as well as the metaphysical ideas of that which is not yet, but which can become. And thus he creates the spirit of utopia, due to which man can make the world a better place. The work was viewed as attacking the traditional Marxism of the time, and thus it was very controversial but also became hugely influential in the development of social liberation. Bloch is now considered one of the most undogmatic Marxists of the past century, and he influenced later political and philosophical thinkers enormously. Adorno himself cited this text of Bloch as having been transformative for his intellectual life, and as stated on the wrapper of the English translation, "When this work was first published, it had a profound effect on major thinkers and artists in Weimar Germany. A poetical philosophical treatise with unusual insights into culture and political commentary, Bloch' s book laid the groundwork for thinkers like Adorno and Benjamin." (Jack Zipes, University of Minnesota). Some shelf wear and abrasion on lower corner of front board. Age-toning along edges of binding. Minor soiling on spine. Text in German. Binding in overall good, interior in near to fine condition. vg. Item #25606
Price: $125.00