Gyorgy Lukacs Hungarian Marxist philosopher Date of Birth: 13.04.1885 Country: Hungary

1. Early Life and Education
2. Socialist Engagements and Literary Explorations
3. Influences and Major Works
4. Political Activism and Exile
5. Marxist Aesthetics and Moscow Period
6. Return to Hungary and Later Career
7. Social Ontology and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Born into an affluent Jewish family in Budapest, György Lukács began his philosophical journey at the Protestant Gymnasium. His pursuit of higher education led him to renowned universities in Budapest, Berlin, and Heidelberg, culminating in his doctorate in 1906.

Socialist Engagements and Literary Explorations

During his university years, Lukács immersed himself in socialist circles, influenced by anarchist Ervin Szabó and the writings of Georges Sorel. Concurrently, he participated in a theatrical group dedicated to staging thought-provoking plays by prominent figures such as Ibsen and Strindberg, honing his skills as a translator, director, and playwright. His interactions with Georg Simmel, Max Weber, and Ernst Bloch further shaped his intellectual outlook.

Influences and Major Works

Lukács's philosophical foundation was rooted in Kantianism, evident in his early works "The Soul and the Forms" (1910), "The Theory of the Novel" (1920), and "The History of the Development of Modern Drama" (1912). These works demonstrated his profound understanding of literature and aesthetics.

Political Activism and Exile

After the First World War, the Russian Revolution made a significant impact on Lukács. He joined the Hungarian Communist Party and served as People's Commissar for Cultural Affairs in the Hungarian Soviet Republic in 1919. Following the republic's fall, he faced exile in Vienna and Berlin, where he engaged in clandestine activities for the Communist Party in Hungary.

Marxist Aesthetics and Moscow Period

From 1930 to 1945, Lukács resided in Moscow, where he immersed himself in Marxist aesthetics and sociology. He collaborated with the Communist Academy and the journal "Literary Critic." During this period, his writings encompassed works such as "History and Class Consciousness" (1923) and "Lenin: A Sketch of His Thought" (1924).

Return to Hungary and Later Career

Lukács returned to Hungary in 1945 and became a member of the World Peace Council. His role as Minister of Education in Imre Nagy's government during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 did not result in official repercussions. Throughout the 1950s and beyond, he continued his work in Marxist aesthetics, culminating in his magnum opus "The Specificity of the Aesthetic" (1963). His analytical approach to realism in art met with criticism from the Frankfurt School and other intellectuals.

Social Ontology and Legacy

In his later years, Lukács delved into social ontology. The term "Budapest School" has been used to describe his followers, including Ágnes Heller, György Márkus, Ferenc Fehér, and Mihály Varga. However, after Lukács's death, these thinkers distanced themselves from both his ideas and Marxism, embracing social liberalism and other non-Marxist perspectives.