The Illusion of the Epoch. Marxism-Leninism as a Philosophical Creed

London: Cohen & West, 1955. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. Harry Burrows Acton (1908-1974) was an English academic in the field of political philosophy, known for books defending the morality of capitalism, and attacking Marxism-Leninism. [Wikipedia] This work is based on a seminar that he gave at the University of Chicago in 1949. The title is based on a quote from Marx and Engels that "the exponents of this conception of history ... in each epoch have had to share the illusion of that epoch." As Acton states in his introduction, he is treating Marxism and a philosophy or "world-view", not just as an economic and social doctrine. He states that "a philosophy comprises a principal account of the purposes of human life ..." He focuses on the branch of Marxism that is associated with Soviet Communism. Part I deals with Dialectical Materialism, including Marxist Realism and Marxist Naturalism. Part II deals with Scientific Socialism, including Historical Materialism and Marxist Ethics. Octavo. Green cloth-covered boards with gilt title to spine. Sunning to spine, and spine is bumped at top and bottom. Some wear and rubbing to covers. Pages are yellowed but clean. Previous owner's name on front end paper. COMM1/7110.