Theory and praxis
what's the relationship between them for communists
I really enjoyed this quote from Murakami
Quote:
"Narrow minds devoid of imagination. Intolerance, theories cut off from reality, empty terminology, usurped ideals, inflexible systems. Those are the things that really frighten me. What I absolutely fear and loathe. Of course it's important to know what's right and what's wrong. Individual errors in judgment can usually be corrected. As long as you have the courage to admit mistakes, things can be turned around. But intolerant, narrow minds with no imagination are like parasites that transform the host, change form, and continue to thrive. They're a lost cause, and I don't want anyone like that coming in here."..."I wish I could just laugh off people like that, but I can't."
The more theoretical politics get, the more dangerous it often becomes. Theory as I see it is used to understand power, the function of society, the roles of individuals, as well as a providing a groundwork on morality and jurisprudence. However, it too often buries itself in obscurantism, dogmatism, and at worst, totalitarianism and inane violence as seen with the New Left and Red Guards.
I think the distinction you're looking for is theory and practice. Praxis is theory-in-practice, or practice informed by theory.
So the relationship between theory and praxis is that theory is a component of praxis.
I can't remember who said theory without practice is impotent, practice without theory is futile. The point, as Marx said, is not merely to understand the world but to change it. But, if one doesn't understand what one is doing, then how do we know what changes we can attempt?
Quote:
I think the distinction you're looking for is theory and practice. Praxis is theory-in-practice, or practice informed by theory.
So the relationship between theory and praxis is that theory is a component of praxis.
I can't remember who said theory without practice is impotent, practice without theory is futile. The point, as Marx said, is not merely to understand the world but to change it. But, if one doesn't understand what one is doing, then how do we know what changes we can attempt?
I would say it's pointless to separate the two. Action without some kind of theory informing it would literally be spazzing out, something most people wouldn't consider to be action at all. Whereas a theory that can't be applied is literally meaningless.
Quote:
I would say it's pointless to separate the two. Action without some kind of theory informing it would literally be spazzing out, something most people wouldn't consider to be action at all. Whereas a theory that can't be applied is literally meaningless.
While i'd agree with your point that is definitely not the kind of word you should use as it's an ableist slur.