Socialism: Scientific and Utopian

Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library

Socialism: Scientific and Utopian

In his classic, Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, Engels describes how the utopian vision of socialism was transformed into a science by linking it to a scientific understanding of social development and by identifying the working class as the agency that would build socialism. This scientific socialism of Marx and Engels inspired the world historic revolutions of the twentieth century. Since the overthrow of the Soviet Union, however, advocates of socialism typically repudiate both scientific socialism and the twentieth century attempts to build socialism. The result, too frequently, is a return to utopianism. This workshop will explore the need to rediscover the science of socialism. Background Reading: Engels, “Socialism: Utopian and Scientific.” (available online at the Marx & Engels Internet Archive. Discussion will be led by Eugene E Ruyle, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, CSU, Long Beach, and a member of the ICSS Collective.

October 12, 2014 – 10 :30 am to 12 :30 pm

6501 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland
(between Alcatraz and 66th)
Seating is limited, so plan to come early. We start promptly.
FREE - but hat will be passed for donations to NPML

Sunday Morning at the Marxist Library
A weekly discussion series inspired by our respect for the work of Karl Marx and our belief that his work will remain as important for the class struggles of the future as they have been for the past.

For descriptions and our full schedule, go to http://www.csulb.edu/~eruyle/icss/html
Info: Gene Ruyle at 510-428-1578 or cuyleruyle [at] mac.com
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