Sohn-Rethel and the Origin of ‘Real Abstraction’: A Critique of Production or a Critique of Circulation?*
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Abstract
Alfred Sohn-Rethel did not just elaborate a materialist theory of knowledge, he also introduced the term ‘real abstraction’ into Marxist debate. However, he locates the origin of commodity abstraction solely in the sphere of circulation, conceiving of production itself as a mere metabolism with nature. This conception, in which the critique of capitalism aims exclusively at distribution, and which rejects the Marxian concept of ‘abstract labour’, remains widespread. It is our express intention here to undertake a critique of such a conception for the benefit of a critique of the very mode of capitalist production.
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Bockelmann Eske Im Takt des Geldes. Zur Genese modernen Denkens 2004 Springe Zu Klampen
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Kurz Robert ‘Abstrakte Arbeit und Sozialismus. Zur Marx’schen Werttheorie und ihrer Geschichte’ Marxistische Kritik 1987 4 57 108 available at: <www.exit-online.org>
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Marx Karl Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 1959 Moscow Progress Publishers
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Marx Karl Dragstedt Albert Value: Studies by Karl Marx 1976 London New Park Publications
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Müller Rudolf Walter Geld und Geist. Zur Entstehungsgeschichte von Identitätsbewusstsein und Rationalität seit der Antike 1977 Frankfurt am Main Campus Verlag
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Postone Moishe Time, Labor, and Social Domination: A Reinterpretation of Marx’s Critical Theory 1993 Cambridge Cambridge University Press
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Simmel Georg Philosophie des Geldes 1989 [1900] Frankfurt am Main Suhrkamp Verlag
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Sohn-Rethel Alfred Materialistische Erkenntniskritik und Vergesellschaftung der Arbeit 1971 Berlin Merve
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Sohn-Rethel Alfred Sohn-Rethel Martin Intellectual and Manual Labour 1978a Basingstoke Macmillan
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Sohn-Rethel Alfred Sohn-Rethel Martin Economy and Class Structure of German Fascism 1978b London CSE Books
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Sohn-Rethel Alfred Warenform und Denkform 1978c Frankfurt am Main Suhrkamp Verlag
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Sohn-Rethel Alfred Das Geld, die bare Münze des Apriori 1990 Berlin Klaus Wagenbach
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Thomson George The First Philosophers: Studies in Ancient Greek Society 1955 London Lawrence and Wishart
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1.
Sohn-Rethel 1978a.
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2.
Sohn-Rethel 1978b.
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4.
Thomson 1955.
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7.
Sohn-Rethel 1990, p. 47.
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8.
Müller 1977.
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9.
Bockelmann 2004.
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10.
Marx 1976, p. 27.
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11.
Simmel 1989, p. 57.
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12.
Sohn-Rethel 1990, p. 17.
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13.
Sohn-Rethel 1971, p. 70.
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14.
Postone 1993, pp. 177–8.
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15.
Sohn-Rethel 1978a, p. 29.
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16.
Sohn-Rethel 1990, p. 30.
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17.
Sohn-Rethel 1990, p. 31.
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18.
Sohn-Rethel 1978c, p. 122.
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19.
Sohn-Rethel 1990, p. 31.
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20.
Sohn-Rethel 1990, p. 20.
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21.
Sohn-Rethel 1978c, p. 123.
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22.
Kurz 1987, pp. 86–7.
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23.
Kurz 1987, p. 85.
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25.
Sohn-Rethel 1978c, p. 86.
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Sohn-Rethel and the Origin of ‘Real Abstraction’: A Critique of Production or a Critique of Circulation?*
In: Historical MaterialismSearch for other papers by Anselm Jappe in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Alfred Sohn-Rethel did not just elaborate a materialist theory of knowledge, he also introduced the term ‘real abstraction’ into Marxist debate. However, he locates the origin of commodity abstraction solely in the sphere of circulation, conceiving of production itself as a mere metabolism with nature. This conception, in which the critique of capitalism aims exclusively at distribution, and which rejects the Marxian concept of ‘abstract labour’, remains widespread. It is our express intention here to undertake a critique of such a conception for the benefit of a critique of the very mode of capitalist production.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 3263 | 822 | 82 |
| Full Text Views | 629 | 57 | 6 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 547 | 129 | 16 |