HPhil Seminar: May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025 5:00pm

The HPhil (History of Philosophy) Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon announces the 2024/25 edition of its permanent seminar on the history of philosophy, devoted to the presentation of conferences by renowned specialists while also creating opportunities to emerging scholars, aiming to promote advanced studies in groundbreaking debates and the permanent training of its academic community.

In this session of the seminar, Michael Heinrich (HTW Berlin) will present a paper, entitled “Marx’s Theory of Value and Fetishism – Some Philosophical Consequences” (abstract below)

The session will take place on May 29, 2025 at 5 p.m., in the Room C201.J (Room Mattos Romão, Department of Philosophy). Admission is free.

Abstract

Marx’s theory of value (often referred to as labor theory of value) is not only controversial among Marxists and critics of Marx. Even among Marxists, there is debate about the exact meaning of the theory of value. Marx’s theory of fetishism is also often misunderstood, as the specific meaning of the word fetish in the 19th century is not always taken into account. In this lecture, I will show that Marx’s theory of value and his theory of fetishism are not only related, but that one cannot be adequately understood without the other. Finally, I will hint at some consequences of this connection for some questions addressed in philosophy.