 |
Lucio CollettiItalian philosopher and political figure
Date of Birth: 08.12.1924
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Lucio Colletti: A Journey from Marxism to Liberalism
- Marxist Roots and Disillusionment
- Critical Marxist Thought
- Political Activism and Polemics
- Shift to "Market Socialism"
- Later Years and Legacy
Lucio Colletti: A Journey from Marxism to Liberalism
Early Life and EducationLucio Colletti, an influential Italian philosopher and politician, was born in Rome. After fighting in an antifascist partisan group during World War II, he enrolled at the University of Messina and later transferred to the University of Rome. There, he studied literature, philosophy, and the history of philosophy under the tutelage of Galvano Della Volpe.
Marxist Roots and Disillusionment
Colletti initially embraced Marxism but grew disillusioned with its dogmatic nature. In 1949, he joined the Italian Communist Party (PCI), but the suppression of the Hungarian uprising in 1956 led him to break ranks. He co-authored an open letter condemning the party's refusal to distance itself from the Soviet Union's actions.
Critical Marxist Thought
In 1969, Colletti published "Hegel and Marxism," arguing that Marxism lacked a Hegelian foundation. He criticized Hegel as a "crypto-Christian philosopher" and traced the origins of Marxism to Kant's epistemology and Rousseau's social philosophy.
Political Activism and Polemics
Colletti co-edited the leftist journal "La Sinistra" in the 1960s, providing a platform for alternative ideologies. He engaged in debates with the Frankfurt School and particularly Herbert Marcuse. His 1974 interview with Perry Anderson for the "New Left Review" gained international attention.
Shift to "Market Socialism"
Colletti's views gradually shifted toward liberalism. In 1980, he published "The Twilight of Ideology" and endorsed "market socialism." He supported Bettino Craxi of the Italian Socialist Party and later became a member of Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing party, "Forza Italia." Despite his critique of government policies, Berlusconi praised Colletti for his "courage to renounce communism."
Later Years and Legacy
Colletti's legacy is complex and contested. As one of the few Italian philosophers to gain international acclaim, he challenged Marxist orthodoxy and contributed to the development of critical Marxist thought. However, his later political alignments have raised questions about his intellectual integrity and commitment to social justice.
