Discussion On Raich's " Sexual Revolution " Theory And Its Contemporary Significance

This thesis elaborates the relationship between Western Marxist Wilhelm Reich's "sex revolution" theory,Freudo-Marxism related theories and Marxism,tries to analyze its contemporary significance through the criticism of Wilhelm Reich's theories and their misreading of Marxism Philosophy."Sex Revolution","Eros Liberation" theories advocated by Freudo-Marxists like Reich,Herbert Marcuse,Erich Fromm are the products combining Freud' s repression theory,the philosophy of human nature and Marxism' s social revolution, people' s emancipation of minds.These theories aim to free human beings from the repressive shackles of capitalist society,to seek the establishment of a "humanistic socialist society".They argues that libido is innate and universal,that it is human nature to satisfy desires and seek enjoyment,that the content pleasant sensation is the criterion of human welfare.However,the instincts and desires are suppressed by existing family,society,civilization,modes of labor that causes constant increase in repression.However,sex repression is a main mechanism of political governance, which makes people easier to be controlled and more tolerant to politics.Therefore,it is necessary to carry out sex revolution in combination with political struggle to break away from the repression and gain freedom and happiness.This campaign needs to eliminate the capitalist institutions that negate sexuality and to apply the psychoanalysis theories "revolutionarily and critically".Freudo-Marxists have recognized and tried to disclose the morbid phenomena in capitalist society such as authoritarianism,alienation labor,aggressive war,etc. However,their opinion to change the world and emancipate mankind depending on "sex revolution" has taken the wrong road of "sexual voluntarism",concealing the class and social roots of the morbidities of capitalism instead.Marxists consider the sex issue as one social problem just like all the other issues, and this issue must be solved through resolving fundamental social conflicts.Of course,there are also some sex issues that are brought about by non-fundamental conflicts.But ultimately,the settlement of the sex issue should be solved through resolving fundamental social conflicts.Material power should only be destroyed by material power,and Reich' s theories correlate the sex issue and the society and reverse the relationship between sex revolution and social revolution.Reich' s consideration that Marxism is a "Macro-revolution" is greatly influenced by the "Dogmatic-Marxists" in the then Soviet Union.With powerful speech rights,their voices more or less made Reich deviate from the true meaning of Marxist thoughts. However,the majority of people consider Marxist philosophy as dogmatic or a "Macro-revolution" theory.The connotations of "genuine Marxism philosophy" are more comprehensive,abundant and enthusiastic than many Chinese young students have imaged.The reasons of the popularity of Reich' s "sex revolution" ideology and the negative influences it finally causes have strong cautious and motivating significance to the Marxism education and its prorhotion in present China.Nowadays,the issue of love and sex has become an important topic in the lives of Chinese youths.People strives to pursue innocent love,but just as Engels pointed out,"the full freedom of marriage can only be universally achieved after the elimination of capitalist production and its resulting property relationship and thus of all the derivative economic considerations that greatly influence the choice of spouses. At that time,there will be no other motives than mutual love." This thesis analyzes and criticizes the "sex revolution" theory,acquaints people with the "macro" and "micro" aspects of Marxist philosophy.While analyzing the macro layers of social production relationship,if the importance of human psychology is not evaded,neither empty talk nor avoidance of sex is involved,the Marxist philosophy will be more appealing and understandable to more Chinese young students.Deep analysis of the issue of sex and love and its supporting material and economic background through Marxist theories will enable more comprehensive understanding and more positive evaluation of Carl Marx and even the whole Communist theory.