The Actuality of Mariátegui (or the critique of unfortunate rationalism): New values beyond a new economically possible world

Abstract

Times of crisis, like illnesses, are propitious moments for reflection and self-criticism, for the verification if not of new directions, at least of the misconceptions already exposed – which then become clearer.2 Hence the pertinence of revisiting the philosophy of José Carlos Mariátegui and his original vision of praxis, especially in terms of the dialectical denial of some hegemonic values in Western culture – intellectualism, skepticism, individualism – trends that cooperate with the current degeneration of a civilization marked by hopelessness, repression, sedentary lifestyle and fear. These modes of operation, if on the one hand support the devastating meaning taken by capitalist society, on the other hand permeate the day-to-day even of those who propose to refute it – thus obstructing the very notion of human development, a fundamental concept for the communist protest. Denouncing such hoaxes is today a more direct task than fairly uncovering new paths – in the face of a still recent situation in which the prospects for overcoming the most basic human problems are clouded by the blow of neoliberal skepticism against utopia.