Their Morals and Ours: The class foundations of moral practice

Their Morals and Ours is a philosophical work by Leon Trotsky written in 1938 that addresses ethical criticisms of Bolshevik actions during the Russian Revolution. The text directly confronts accusations that Marxist philosophy embraces an "ends justify the means" approach to political action. Trotsky examines the relationship between revolutionary goals and the methods used to achieve them, focusing on specific historical events like the Kronstadt rebellion. He presents a systematic defense of revolutionary violence when used in service of working-class liberation, while distinguishing it from what he views as the bureaucratic terror of Stalinism. The book engages with major ethical questions about power, violence, and social transformation that continue to influence political theory and revolutionary movements. Through analysis of concrete historical situations, Trotsky develops a framework for evaluating the morality of political actions based on their relationship to human liberation and class struggle.

Readers note this book provides Trotsky's perspective on how morality relates to revolutionary politics and class struggle. Many reviews focus on his arguments about ends justifying means in political action. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanation of Marxist ethics vs abstract moral principles - Historical examples that support his points - Logical progression of ideas - Short length makes complex ideas accessible Common criticisms: - Too theoretical for some readers - Some found his defense of revolutionary violence concerning - Writing style can be dense - Arguments seem dated to modern readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (359 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) Notable review quotes: "Helps understand how revolutionaries justified their actions" - Goodreads reviewer "Important but troubling exploration of revolutionary ethics" - Amazon reviewer "Dense but rewarding analysis of class and morality" - LibraryThing reviewer

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The Revolution Betrayed by Leon Trotsky An analysis of the Soviet Union's degeneration under Stalin that explores the moral implications of bureaucratic power and revolutionary ideals.

Socialism and Man in Cuba by Che Guevara A work on revolutionary morality and the formation of socialist consciousness through concrete experiences of building a new society.

Reform or Revolution by Rosa Luxemburg A critique of reformist socialism that presents the moral and practical case for revolutionary transformation of society.

State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin An examination of the state's role in class society and the ethical dimensions of revolutionary power that builds on Marxist theory.

🔸 The book was written just two years before Trotsky's assassination in Mexico by a Stalinist agent using an ice pick, making it one of his final theoretical works. 🔸 Trotsky wrote this piece as a direct response to critics like American philosopher John Dewey, who questioned the ethical foundations of revolutionary socialism. 🔸 During the period of writing this book, Trotsky was living in exile in Mexico under the protection of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in their "Blue House." 🔸 The philosophical arguments in the book were heavily influenced by Trotsky's experiences during the Russian Civil War (1917-1922), where he led the Red Army. 🔸 The text was first published in English in the theoretical journal "The New International" and sparked intense debate among leftist intellectuals worldwide.