New Books in Political Science Michael Lazarus, "Absolute Ethical Life: Aristotle, Hegel and Marx" (Stanford UP, 2025)
Oct 26, 2025
Michael Lazarus, a Lecturer in Political Theory and author of Absolute Ethical Life, explores the intersections of Marx, Aristotle, and Hegel. He argues that Marx's critique of capitalism isn't just economic but fundamentally ethical, reshaping our understanding of freedom and agency. Lazarus highlights the limitations of thinkers like Arendt and MacIntyre, advocating for a broader framework of political action connected to contemporary social issues like climate change. His insights challenge us to rethink ethics as deeply embedded in our historical and social contexts.
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Absolute Ethical Life Means Institutions
- 'Absolute ethical life' (Hegel) denotes institutionalized, collective forms of ethical life beyond private morality.
- Lazarus reads Hegel's absolute as useful, not merely metaphysical, for Marxist critiques of capitalism.
Capitalism As A Form Of Life
- Capitalism should be read as a social "form of life," not only an economic system.
- The economic logic shapes institutions, social relations, and human flourishing under capitalism.
Arendt Misreads Marx On Praxis
- Arendt separates political action from production and misreads Marx's distinction between alienated and unalienated labor.
- Marx's richer concept of free labor can address Arendt's concerns about collective action and councils.
