On Althusser’s Understanding Of Leninism Under The Perspective Of Dialectical Materialism

Althusser usually detours to another’s ideas.The detouring to history of philosophy has been one of the hottest topics among Althusser’s thoughts.Besides Machiavelli,Hobbs,Spinoza,and Rousseau,Lenin can be sides with them,too,which makes Althusser unique.So,I want to know why Althusser chooses Lenin’s works.In order to better focus on the question,I limits the scope of the dissertation,that is,to look for the Leninist elements in Althusser’s thought in the field of dialectical materialism.This dissertation has selected three themes: overdetermination,the understanding of philosophy,and materialism of encounter.First,I focus on overdetermination,and Lenin’s revolutionary overdetermination dialectics is not theoretical but practical according to Althusser.In For Marx,Althusser analyses Lenin’s articles which study the revolutionary situation,and cites them as important arguments.Although Lenin is merely cited as an example,we can also illustrate the purpose of it.Second,I will show that Althusser’s interpretation of Lenin’s practical dialectic as the overdetermination dialectics against Hegelianism is challenged,such as Lenin’s praise and absorption of Hegelian dialectic in Notes on Philosophy.This part gives a more detailed analysis based on Althusser’s Lenin before Hegel written by Althusser.He proceeds from a pre-set position,but still achieves his goals.Third,I will discuss Althusser’s understanding of philosophy.This part involves the relationship between philosophy and science.Philosophy is "the class struggle in theory",and Althusser rejects the systematization of philosophy.Here,Althusser’s understanding of materialism is greatly influenced by Materialism and Empirical Criticism,but he does not blindly follow Lenin,for example,he more focus on partisanship,and less on the definition of matter.Fourth,I want to discuss the materialism of encounter.We will find that it is the development of his previous thoughts.At the same time,Althusser’s ideas deviate from the Leninism,which is a symbol of the disappointment to the revolution.