The Opium Of The Intellectuals by Raymond Aron

The Illusions of Progress

The book in question is a critical examination of the prevailing political ideologies and intellectual trends of the mid-20th century, particularly focusing on the seductive nature of Marxist thought among European intellectuals. The author argues that these intellectuals often embraced Marxism not for its empirical validity but as a secular religion, an "opium" that provided a comforting sense of certainty and moral superiority. The work challenges the dogmatic adherence to ideological orthodoxy and calls for a more skeptical, empirical approach to social and political analysis, advocating for the values of liberal democracy and the importance of individual freedom over utopian visions.

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Published
1955
Nationality
French
Length
Moderate
Pages
382
Original Language
French
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Alternate Titles
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