Book Review: Marxism and Other Western Fallacies : An Islamic Critique by Ali Shari'ati

Written by Ali Shariati, translated by R. Campbell, this book reflects on the thoughts of one of the most important writers in Iran’s recent history. Ali Shariati’s influence in Iran could be estimated by the fact that in twelve months, starting from January 1978 the Pahalvi dynasty crumbled down.

Shariati believes that there are few intellectual currents of his time which include Western liberalism, Marxism, Existentialism and religion. He criticizes Marx: “Marx allowed his marvelous sensitivity to human moral values to be over-shadowed by his revolutionary enthusiasm for the politics and economics of communism, and thus allows himself to be transformed into just another political leader, hungry for power and enamored of political triumph”.

Shariati views man as having power of choice and hence this power brings “him a commitment, a responsibility, which is meaningless unless articulated with reference to a system of values.” In the chapter tilted Modern Calamities Shariati critiques democracy and western liberalism. Moreover he stresses that humanity is facing alienation, human values are on the decline, there is a rise in consumption and traditional moral values continue to decline.Moreover he is highly critical of Confucius for introducing people to rigid conformity which he believes later turned people into frozen animals. Shariati views capital as the greed of his age. He objects to Sarte’s idea of human freedom of choice. In addition he opines that Sarte cannot propose a criterion for choice/a standard of values other that personal “good sense”.

Shariati declares Protestantism, Capitalism, Marxism and Fascism as “four brothers born of the same materialism and raised in the same household.” Furthermore the author criticizes Marx’s views on religion. He quotes Hazrat Ali to support his own arguments. Shariati thinks that both Marx and Islam are interested in the same private and social lives of the people but they are completely opposed. Human laws are just as authentic and demonstrable as natural laws is what the author Shariati stresses upon.

The author approves neither Hegel nor Engels. The author quotes from Iqbal and from the Quran too. Shariati favors mysticism and says that: “Mysticism produces a spiritual sensitivity in man, along with sublime psychological and spiritual values, which foster his existence and his spirit”.He is inspired by Hazrat Ali’s life. He considers him to have placed greater reliance upon human values and noble acts.

 The author finally presents his own solution to the needs of his time and suggests: “The primacies of existence, justice and mysticism (the inner light of human essence) would satisfy the needs of our tome in the best possible way”.