Andy Blunden - Q&A: Logic, History and the Germ Cell [Link in the description]
Main presentation: • Logic, History and the Germ Cell
In his book on Capital, Evald Ilyenkov introduced the idea of “concrete historicism.” This notion, otherwise unknown to social theory, shows how to use the study of history to understand what is essential in the present historical conjuncture in some social formation. Ilyenkov’s understanding of the relation between logic and history, his application of the idea of “germ cell” to the study of history and his specific style of genealogy will be outlined.
I will briefly review Hegel’s view on the relation between logic and history and what Marx drew from Hegel’s conception.
I will review the sources of Ilyenkov’s idea in Marx’s Capital and contrast this with the genealogy of Michel Foucault, to bring out the importance of determining the point of origin from which analysis must begin.
The method involves a back and forth movement in the examination of history with the aim of determining the point of origin of the simple class relation which has become the foundation of the present social formation. Two examples will be cited: (1) the emergence of capitalism in Britain and (2) the Islamic Republic in Iran.
Andy Blunden is an independent scholar in Melbourne, Australia. Andy is an recognised expert in Soviet Activity Theory and the Psychology of Lev Vygotsky and has published on Activity Theory, Collaboration, Collective Decision Making and Hegel’s philosophy.