Marxian Totality - (Historical Materialism) by Kaveh Boveiri (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The first book-length exploration of the Marxian concept of totality from a philosophical and sociopolitical perspective.

Drawing on a large number of classical and contemporary works (in English, French, German, Czech and Italian), Boveiri elucidates the distinctive features of Marxian totality with a particular focus on its methodology. The work has six moments. First, it develops arguments against two undialectical conceptions of totality, those held by Schelling and Wittgenstein. Then, it presents a critical reading of Hegelian totality focused on The Science of Logic. Next it examines the shortcomings of two well-known conceptions of totality, one by Georg Lukács, another by Karel Kosík, before examining in detail the developmental characteristics of Marxian totality. The volume concludes with a chapter dealing with some methodological implications of the conception advanced here.

Review Quotes

"Since Lukacs's pioneering studies more than a century ago, the concept of totality has been among the most slippery and controversial in Marxian theory. Yet, rarely have commentators agreed on its actual meaning and formation. With Marxian Totality, Kaveh Boveiri at last provides us with the sophisticated and meticulous theoretical exploration we have long needed. This erudite study, deeply versed in Hegelian and Marxian dialectics, should become an indispensable point of reference for all further debates in the field. It is a book to which I shall regularly return for insight and illumination."-David McNally "Kaveh Boveiri's book is the first ever monograph on the Marxist concept of totality. Starting with Hegel, and discussing the writings of Georg Lukacs and Karel Kosik, Boveiri focuses on Marx's own writings, from his early years until the Grundrisse and Capital. This is a groundbreaking contribution to the understanding of a central Marxist methodological concept." -Michael Löwy

"In Marxian Totality: Inverting Hegel to Expound Worldly Matters, Kaveh Boveiri presents a groundbreaking monograph that analyses the Marxian concept of totality from both philosophical and sociopolitical perspectives. As the first book-length study dedicated exclusively to this subject, Boveiri's work offers a thorough examination of the distinctive features of Marxian totality, with a particular focus on its methodological underpinnings. [...] By bridging the gap between abstract theory and concrete reality, Boveiri reaffirms the enduring relevance of Marx's thought. He offers a compelling argument for the adoption of a Marxian dialectical totality as a means of comprehending and transforming the social world. Through his rigorous examination of both historical and contemporary perspectives, he provides valuable insights into the nature of totality, dialectics, and social change. This book shows the power of critical thought and its capacity to inform and inspire meaningful action in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society." -Simon Gros

"Kaveh Boveiri's Marxian Totality can be conceived as expanding and - to some extent - improving Karel Kosík's account of the notion of totality in the Dialectic of the Concrete (1963). [...] [The book] presents an interesting contribution to the topic of Marxian totality and a worthwhile discussion of Kosík's thought. A strong point of the book is also to engage the discussion not only with the English and German literature on the subject, but with the French as well, providing a well-rounded account of the topic." -Emmanuel Chaput, Marx & Philosophy Review of Books

"What has remained a genial Intuition underlying Althusser's distinction between an idealist totality and a materialist whole is systematically elaborated and discussed in this volume, with the effect of clearly bringing out the specific scientificity of Marx's way of methodical exposition." -Frieder Otto Wolf

"However hopelessly fragmented, aimlessly headed and lacking any cohesion our world may seem, forces that have an impact on us all-the climate crisis, global pandemics, the digital revolution and, above all, capitalism's inexorable penetration of every corner of life-make it imperative to think holistically. In the 19th century, Hegel and Marx attempted to meet this challenge, as did the tradition of Western Marxism in the 20th. In Marxian Totality, Kaveh Boveiri courageously takes on the urgent task of updating their efforts for our own time." -Martin Jay

"Since Lukacs's pioneering studies more than a century ago, the concept of totality has been among the most slippery and controversial in Marxian theory. Yet, rarely have commentators agreed on its actual meaning and formation. With Marxian Totality, Kaveh Boveiri at last provides us with the sophisticated and meticulous theoretical exploration we have long needed. This erudite study, deeply versed in Hegelian and Marxian dialectics, should become an indispensable point of reference for all further debates in the field. It is a book to which I shall regularly return for insight and illumination."--David McNally "Kaveh Boveiri's book is the first ever monograph on the Marxist concept of totality. Starting with Hegel, and discussing the writings of Georg Lukacs and Karel Kosik, Boveiri focuses on Marx's own writings, from his early years until the Grundrisse and Capital. This is a groundbreaking contribution to the understanding of a central Marxist methodological concept." --Michael Löwy

"In Marxian Totality: Inverting Hegel to Expound Worldly Matters, Kaveh Boveiri presents a groundbreaking monograph that analyses the Marxian concept of totality from both philosophical and sociopolitical perspectives. As the first book-length study dedicated exclusively to this subject, Boveiri's work offers a thorough examination of the distinctive features of Marxian totality, with a particular focus on its methodological underpinnings. [...] By bridging the gap between abstract theory and concrete reality, Boveiri reaffirms the enduring relevance of Marx's thought. He offers a compelling argument for the adoption of a Marxian dialectical totality as a means of comprehending and transforming the social world. Through his rigorous examination of both historical and contemporary perspectives, he provides valuable insights into the nature of totality, dialectics, and social change. This book shows the power of critical thought and its capacity to inform and inspire meaningful action in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society." --Simon Gros

"Kaveh Boveiri's Marxian Totality can be conceived as expanding and - to some extent - improving Karel Kosík's account of the notion of totality in the Dialectic of the Concrete (1963). [...] [The book] presents an interesting contribution to the topic of Marxian totality and a worthwhile discussion of Kosík's thought. A strong point of the book is also to engage the discussion not only with the English and German literature on the subject, but with the French as well, providing a well-rounded account of the topic." --Emmanuel Chaput, Marx & Philosophy Review of Books

"What has remained a genial Intuition underlying Althusser's distinction between an idealist totality and a materialist whole is systematically elaborated and discussed in this volume, with the effect of clearly bringing out the specific scientificity of Marx's way of methodical exposition." --Frieder Otto Wolf

"However hopelessly fragmented, aimlessly headed and lacking any cohesion our world may seem, forces that have an impact on us all--the climate crisis, global pandemics, the digital revolution and, above all, capitalism's inexorable penetration of every corner of life--make it imperative to think holistically. In the 19th century, Hegel and Marx attempted to meet this challenge, as did the tradition of Western Marxism in the 20th. In Marxian Totality, Kaveh Boveiri courageously takes on the urgent task of updating their efforts for our own time." --Martin Jay