Definition
Howard Selsam (1905–1996) was an American philosopher and educator known for his contributions to Marxist theory and for his work as a university instructor and author of several textbooks on Marxist philosophy.
Overview
Selsam earned a Ph.D. in philosophy and held teaching positions at institutions including the City College of New York and the New School for Social Research. During the late 1940s, he was among the faculty members dismissed from City College in the context of the anti‑communist investigations of the era. Afterward, he continued to teach and write, focusing on the systematic exposition of Marxist ideas and their application to contemporary social science. His publications, such as Marxist Philosophy (1956) and The Marxist Theory of the State (1962), were used as textbooks in courses on Marxist thought.
Etymology/Origin
The surname “Selsam” is of Germanic origin, likely derived from a variant of the name “Selzmann” or “Selzmann,” which can be traced to regions of Germany and Switzerland. The given name “Howard” is of English origin, meaning “high guardian” or “brave heart.”
Characteristics
- Philosophical focus: Emphasized a systematic, scientific approach to Marxist theory, integrating dialectical materialism with contemporary social science methodologies.
- Educational role: Developed curricula and textbooks aimed at introducing Marxist philosophy to undergraduate and graduate students in the United States.
- Political context: His academic career was affected by the Red Scare and McCarthyism, leading to his dismissal from a public university and subsequent affiliation with private and independent institutions that were more tolerant of leftist perspectives.
- Publications: Authored multiple works that sought to make Marxist theory accessible, including textbooks, articles in scholarly journals, and edited volumes on Marxist methodology.
- Legacy: Recognized within certain academic circles for contributing to the mid‑20th‑century dissemination of Marxist ideas in American higher education.
Related Topics
- Marxist philosophy
- American Marxism in the 20th century
- McCarthyism and academic freedom
- City College of New York faculty controversies
- The New School for Social Research
Note: While the above information is drawn from publicly available biographical and bibliographic sources, specific details about Selsam’s personal life and some aspects of his academic career are not comprehensively documented in widely accessible encyclopedic references.