Peffer's "Marxism, Morality, and Social Justice" (Book Note)

In "Marxism, Morality, and Social Justice," Peffer undertakes the ambitious task of constructing a Marxist moral theory with a focus on social justice, drawing inspiration from analytical philosophy and aligning with the analytical Marxist school. Through meticulous analysis, Peffer offers one of the most comprehensive delineations of Marx's implicit moral ideas to date. Notably, Peffer's portrayal of Marx as a mixed deontologist—a designation that places Marx within the realm of deontological ethics while acknowledging the complexities of his moral framework—promises to ignite scholarly debate among Marxists.

 

Peffer's work addresses several recurring themes in Marxist ethics, including the ongoing discourse on Hegelian versus Kantian ethical theories, the tension between consequentialism and deontology, and the relationship between morality and ideology. Particularly intriguing is Peffer's exploration of Marx's alleged ethical relativism and "anti-moralism," challenging conventional interpretations and offering nuanced insights into Marx's moral philosophy.

 

The book's first section delves into detailed exegesis, tracing the evolution of Marx's moral perspective from 1841 to 1883. Through a meticulous examination of Marx's writings, Peffer identifies a moral theory rooted in the promotion of nonmoral goods such as freedom, human community, and self-realization. Crucially, Peffer emphasizes that Marx's criterion for right action transcends mere maximization of nonmoral goods, incorporating elements such as treating individuals as ends in themselves, fairness, and respect for rights.

 

Peffer proceeds to critique consequentialist interpretations of Marx's ethics, challenging utilitarian and perfectionist accounts put forth by scholars like D. Allen, A. Buchanan, and R. Miller. Additionally, he addresses misinterpretations of Marx as an antimoralist, moral historicist, or ethical relativist, refuting claims made by scholars such as A. Wood, K. Popper, L. Feuer, and M. Fisk. By dissecting these interpretations, Peffer offers a more nuanced understanding of Marx's moral framework, highlighting its complexity and relevance within contemporary ethical discourse.

Peffer confronts the challenge of reconciling Marx's diverse statements on morality, which at times appear to support conflicting positions. Peffer navigates this complexity by presenting plausible yet contested arguments based on a careful selection of textual evidence and the principles of consistency. Drawing on insights from modern analytical philosophy, Peffer skillfully analyzes Marx's moral ideas within the context of his broader philosophical framework.

 

Acknowledging Marx's occasional ambiguity and inconsistency, Peffer attributes these shortcomings to the absence of modern philosophical techniques and methods during Marx's lifetime. He suggests that the questions central to metaethics were not fully formulated until the twentieth century, leaving earlier philosophers, including Marx and Engels, with muddled conceptions of morality.

 

Peffer's examination focuses on Marx's views on justice, rights, and exploitation, which he contends are implicitly intertwined. He aligns with scholars who argue that Marx's theory of exploitation implicitly relies on appeals to justice and human rights. In the final chapter, Peffer presents a Marxist moral and social theory influenced by a modified Rawlsian approach to justice. While acknowledging objections to Rawls' theory raised by Marxist thinkers, Peffer asserts his belief in its fundamental correctness, particularly when combined with Marxist empirical assumptions.

 

Peffer emphasizes the importance of empirical support for moral theories, highlighting the distinction between mixed deontology and strict deontology. He argues that Marxists reject utopian normative and political theories, focusing instead on empirically grounded analyses of class structure and class struggle in capitalism. Peffer suggests that Rawlsians and Marxists share similar moral theories and could potentially agree on political programs if they shared a common set of Marxist empirical assumptions.

 

However, Peffer's treatment of empirical matters is criticized for its specificity and occasional opinionation, particularly in discussions of contemporary events. Some readers find Peffer's political commentary distracting, detracting from the scholarly rigor of his analysis. Despite these concerns, Peffer's book is hailed as a significant contribution to Marxist moral theory, guiding the ethical theorizing of analytical Marxists away from Hegelian influences toward a Kantian framework.