The Young Hegelians and Karl Marx

by David McLellan

The premis of this study is that Marx's world view was very much a product of its time, and as such, it can only be understood in relation to the intellectual climate in which it was conceived. In this text, the author examines the influential force of the Young Hegelian movement, and discusses the work of the leading Young Hegelians, including Bruno Bauer, Feuerbach, Stirner and Hess - and their influence on Marx.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

David McLellan (born 10 February 1940) is an English scholar of Karl Marx and Marxism. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and St. John's College, Oxford University.

McLellan is currently visiting Professor of Political Theory at Goldsmiths' College, University of London. He was previously Professor of Political Theory at the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent.

McLellan has also been Visiting Professor at the State University of New York, Guest Fellow in Politics at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Simla, and has lectured widely in North America and Europe.

Reviews

[Einzige · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book that provides clarity to fascinating and important albeit obscure part of philosophy. Even if you have no interest in Marx it is still a solid introduction to the thoughts of figures like Stirner, Feuerbach and Bauer (as well as their relationships to one another).

In a true Hegelian spirit it contains meticulous focus on development of ideas, which whilst dry is not only very informative but really does show a great degree of dedication on the part of the author. I shudder to think just how many letters and newspaper articles McLellan dredged through to produce this.

Finally it unintentionally has one of the funnest descriptions of a storm in a teacup.

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of McLellan’s first, but less know works on Marx, this is a gem of a book. The author closely traces the influence of the key characters in the Young Hegelian movement on Marx and Engels. Even obscure 19th century terms are clearly explained and Marx’s intellectual roots really come alive. I am biased, of course, but McLellan stands out in taking the 19th century theological discussions seriously, in contrast to much Marxist historiography, which tends to see religion’s role as epiphenomenal. Really loved the book.

[Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's attempt to contextualise Marx and trace his intellectual roots in the Young Hegelians, mainly through Bruno Bauer, Ludwig Feuerbach, Max Stirner, and Moss Hess, opens up new avenues for intellectual exploration and potentially enables one to adopt a new perspective and approach to studying Marx. Very useful text.

[Juanma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basiquillo en teoría. Lo más interesante, los apuntes bibliográficos y sus puntos de contacto entre estos señoros que han funcionado para mí como prensa rosa.

[Morozka]

McLellan, D. (1980) The Young Hegelians and Karl Marx. London: Macmillan Publishers.