Marxism and the Call of the Future: Conversations on Ethics, History, Politics

Marxism and the Call of the Future: Conversations on Ethics, History, Politics

Join Bill Martin and Maoist political economist Raymond Lotta in a searching dialogue about Marxism in the 21st century: intellectually alive and open, and animated by the need for truly radical change in today’s world.

In 2003, Bill Martin, radical professor of philosophy and maverick social theorist at DePaul University, sat down with Bob Avakian, visionary thinker and leader of the Revolutionary Communist Party, for a remarkable series of discussions. Their exchange has now been published as Marxism and the Call of the Future.

Presentation with Discussion:

How do we understand the role of ethics in society today and in socialist society? What are the implications of globalization for the communist project? Where does Marxism stand in relation to such issues as sustainable development and animal rights? What about Marxism and human sexuality? Why should dissent be valued under socialism? How can Marxism make fruitful contact with other philosophical discourses, with cultural and social theory?
This program will introduce people to this important new book and open up the dialogue about Marxism and human possibility to the audience.

Praise for Marxism and the Call of the Future:
"…So important that it should stand on the shelf of everyone who cares about the destiny of the political left…marks the beginning of a new approach."
--Slavoj Zizek, from the Foreword

"At this dark time in the history of our country and the world, we need some new conversations about Marx and the socialist tradition—conversations free of dogmatism, open to ideas from all sides, but oriented in a progressive direction and eager to learn from thinking critically within the Marxist tradition. This book provides us with one model of what those kinds of conversations can be like."
--Allen Wood, Professor of Philosophy, Stanford University

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Bill Martin has published eight books, including Avant Rock: Experimental Music from the Beatles to Bjork and The radical project: Sartrean investigations. His forthcoming book from Open Court Press is titled Ethical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation.

Raymond Lotta is author of America in Decline and essays in Maoist Economics and the Revolutionary Road to Communism. His work has been reviewed in Foreign Affairs and China Quarterly. He has lectured recently at the University of Chicago and the University of London.