JEAN-PAUL SARTRE'S FUSING GROUP AND ITS RELATION TO MARXISM

ANTHONY ANGELO DECORSO, Purdue University

Abstract

I conduct a thorough examination of Sartre's concept of the fusing group as a means of establishing that Sartre's philosophy in the Critique of Dialectical Reason is not Marxist. The fusing group is, for Sartre, the fundamental form of group being and an ideal ensemble as well, for it most completely escapes the undesirable "inertia" of seriality (the everyday, atomized state of human beings) and of organized, structured groups (for example, institutions and bureaucracies). This ideality of the fusing group is tripartite: it is the ensemble which is least alienated, most free, and marked by the most satisfactory interpersonal relations. In order to clarify Sartre's relation to Marxism, I explore the basic concepts with which Sartre explains the nature and role of the fusing group. Thus, a preliminary chapter deals with seriality, the ground of the fusing group. Then the ensemble itself is studied in detail, as it emerges from seriality, briefly flourishes, and ultimately falls back into inertia. The philosophically significant tripartite ideality of the fusing group is considered next. Having closely examined Sartre's account of the fusing group, I compare his account with a Marxist analysis in various respects. Thus, the essential characteristic of the fusing group--its amorphous, inertia-free nature--is dealt with in a chapter about organization in Marx. Then I turn to an explanation of Marx's view of alienation, freedom and interpersonal relations, the three modes of the fusing group's ideality. A chapter is devoted to each. In the course of dealing with these major issue, other important topics are encountered and the corresponding Marxist and Sartrean positions compared and contrasted, topics such as nature, the dialectic, post-capitalist society, scarcity and the division of labor. My investigation of Sartre's fusing group establishes that fundamental philosophical differences exist between Marx and Sartre--with respect to their positions on the many important issues raised by Sartre, as well as with respect to their methodologies, i.e., the ways in which they approach the issues. As such, the philosophy within which the fusing group functions as an ideal is shown to be clearly non-Marxist and accordingly a contribution is made to the determination of the precise philosophical nature of the Critique of Dialectical Reason.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Philosophy

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