Roger Garaudy's Philosophy: From Marxism to Civilizational Dialogue

Abstract

Abstract:

    Roger Garaudy is one of the most prominent philosophers whose philosophy has witnessed many intellectual shifts, leading him to move from theoretical thought to scientific thought, as philosophy, from his point of view, should not be content with theoretical contemplation, but should try to overcome the problems of the human world and give man an active role in the course of history

Man is the true axis of all approaches and philosophies. Therefore, according to Garaudy, all approaches that negate the role of the self must be rejected. He emphasized that true philosophy is that which is capable of bringing about tangible change within society and helping to solve its problems, and does not remain mere theorizing. This theorizing led him to criticize Western centrism and liberalism, considering them obstacles to any genuine civilizational dialogue. Furthermore, he presented a vision of Marxism, finding that it was insufficient to explain the crisis of contemporary man and that it needed a spiritual and ethical dimension. Therefore, Garaudy sought to propose the concept of a dialogue of civilizations based on well-known historical and humanistic foundations, as an alternative to the concept of a clash of civilizations. He considered that civilizations are not conflicting entities, but rather can interact and build bridges of understanding.