Introduction

language, science, and reason

pp. 2-16

in: Janos Kelemen, The rationalism of Georg Lukács, Berlin, Springer, 2014

Abstract

The book is a collection of essays published in diff erent times but treating interconnected topics. Such are Georg Lukács's conception of language, his philosophy of science, and his theory of literary history and of cinematic art. Th is introductive chapter is intended to outline the historical and political background of Lukács's oeuvre, and to show the connecting threads between the above mentioned themes. Particular emphasis is placed on the unity of the philosopher's thought (in spite of the spectacular volte-faces during his career), which is due to his commitment to a renewed and original form of rationalism.The chapter also contains the anticipation of an argument, presented in detail in the later chapters, according to which the choice of rationalism is in itself rational, that is, it has a foundation and it can be based on good reasons.