Marxism Quote by György Lukács
““Orthodox Marxism, therefore, does not imply the uncritical acceptance of the results of Marx’s investigations. It is not the ‘belief’ in this or that thesis, nor the exegesis of a ‘sacred’ book. On the contrary, orthodoxy refers exclusively to method. It is the scientific conviction that dialectical materialism is the road to truth and that its methods can be developed, expanded and deepened only along the lines laid down by its founders. It is the conviction, moreover, that all attempts to surpass or ‘improve’ it have led and must lead to over-simplification, triviality and eclecticism.””
About This Quote
Source Book: History and Class Consciousness, György Lukács, 1923
Lukács argues that Marxist orthodoxy is methodological, not doctrinal, warning that rigid adherence without critical method leads to oversimplification.
In simple terms: Orthodoxy is about method, not belief.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize critical method over dogma.
Themes
methodology
critical thinking
Marxism
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- political activism
- ideological debates
Key Concepts
dialectical materialism
philosophy of science
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we keep Marxist method dynamic?
- What safeguards prevent dogmatic simplification?
A Different Perspective
Risk of stagnation if method is not questioned.
