Conversations with Lukacs

Usingthetechniqueofpreparedquestions,ConversationswithLukacsisabrilliantgatheringofthoughtsandinsightscoveringtopicsasontology,thetechniquesofmanipulativesocieties,thepitfallsofcombatingStalinismwithStalinistmethods,andtheproblemsofintellectualsinadvancedcapitalistsocieties.Aboveall,thereistherestatementofLukacsunshakenconvictionthattheworkingclass,withallthechangesthathaveoccurredinitswayoflifeandcomposition,isstillthehistoricalcarrierofsocialtransformation.Lukcas'sinterlocutorsinthesefourconversationsareHansHeinzHolz,LeoKofler,andWolfgangAbendroth.EachofthemengagesLukA!csinseparatedialogues,onbeingandconsciousness(Holz),onsocietyandtheindividual(Kofler),andontheelementsofscientificpolitics(Abendroth).Lukacs,Abendroth,andHolzworktowarda"ProvisionalSummary"inthelastconversation.Theinterlocutorsandtheeditorwritethat"Theseconversationsshowveryclearlythebasisofabstractionintheexperiencesofeverydaylife...ThisgivestheseconversationswithLukacsamorethananecdotalvalue;fortheunmediatedwayinwhichthoughtisproducedinconversationcorrespondsexactlytothatprimarylevelofexperience,thedataofeverydayreality,whosetheoreticalvalueLukacsemphasizes...Theyaspiretobearwitnesstothelivingthoughtofoneofthegreatmenofourcentury,andtoprovidetheopportunitytoapproachthisthoughtbythesimplestpossibleroute."