ABSTRACT
There is general agreement that Georg Lukács is one of the most important Marxist critics and philosophers of this century. His views have been energetically defended, and as energetically attacked. Lukács would have said that if any writer is to be understood he must be placed within his historical and social context, and any general study of Lukács must take this as its first task. The Hungary in which Lukács grew up was still part of the dual monarchy of Austria and Hungary, with a king who resided in Vienna and a Parliament situated in Budapest. As part of a general counter-attack on the ideas that led up to the events of 23 October 1956, Lukács was attacked repeatedly in the Communist press. Lukács’ interests were wide and his publications very many. In an introduction to his work, it is simply not possible to consider all his writings; nor, indeed, is it desirable even to attempt it.
