Cultural theorist Terry Eagleton examines the history of culture - power, ethics, critique, and ideology. Topics include the evolution of culture and labor, Marxism's role in capitalism, autonomy in media, and the complexities of culture and ideology.
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Quick takeaways
'Cultural Marxism' is a baseless accusation lacking critical substance, used to discredit opposing perspectives.
Culture should not be conflated with ideology; the former is broader, while the latter is context-specific.
Deep dives
Critique on Cultural Marxism Labeling
The accusation of 'cultural Marxism' by the right is dismissed as illiteracy and a mere swear word, lacking substantial critique. This term is considered a demeaning mischaracterization used to marginalize opposing views without merit.
Distinction Between Culture and Ideology
Culture and ideology are viewed as distinct concepts where ideology is contextual and not all-encompassing. Ideology is seen as a functional term that influences beliefs and institutions within specific conditions, while culture is broader and should not be conflated with ideology.
Cultural Evaluation Framework
Evaluation of culture is discussed as contextual, requiring access to cultural criteria to determine value. Assessing cultural production in diverse societies would necessitate understanding the cultural standards governing 'good or bad' within those specific contexts.
The Role of Art and Politics
The complexity of art's interaction with politics is explored, highlighting the shifting role of culture in critiquing society. The potential for art to critique political power is emphasized, reflecting on historical shifts in the significance of aesthetics and autonomy within cultural spheres.
The word ‘culture’ now drags the term ‘wars’ in its wake, but this is too narrow an approach to a concept with a much more capacious history. In the closing LRB Winter Lecture for 2024, Terry Eagleton examines various aspects of that history – culture and power, culture and ethics, culture and critique, culture and ideology – in an attempt to broaden the argument and understand where we are now.
Terry Eagleton delivered this lecture as part of the LRB's Winter Lecture series at St James's Church, Clerkenwell, London on 27 March 2024.