A Study Of Raymond Williams' S Cultural Philosophy

Raymond Williams is the British marxist theorist, one of the leading British new left. In this paper, the theory origin of cultural philosophy thought, Williams system carding and analysis theory content, and the theoretical exposition, influence, and to its limits to make a brief evaluation.This paper argues that Williams’ s cultural philosophy absorb some of the marxist ideas, methods and cultural theory, based on the traditional jarvis and the integration of traditional and form of marxism. He receives and draw lessons from the overall thought of lukacs, gramsci’s theory of cultural leadership, Benjamin’s artistic production theory, and Goldman isomorphic thought, put forward his unique cultural philosophy.Williams’ s cultural philosophy based on his unique understanding of culture and cultural research methodology. Williams argues that culture is a "normal", "culture is the public", "culture is a dynamic process, material practice", the true connotation lies in culture is "a whole way of life". Cultural studies should look at the key words and feel structure analysis method as the main method, reveal the relationship of culture and social culture characteristic and the function, in order to achieve the purpose of integration of society. Williams believes that the development of industrial society of capitalism and its social crisis, the problem such as the alienation of people, at the same time, also produced "the masses", "mass culture" and the contradiction between the elite culture. Way of life, all of these, both industrial society and industrial society culture, by "mass culture" and its conflict with elite culture. From cultural philosophy perspective, solve the problems of the developed industrial society, must eliminate the boundaries between elite culture and popular culture, remove cultural hegemony to the person’s rule, to the principle of "stuck with their neighbourhood in the spirit of" equality of life "for the kernel, with" natural growth and supporting the natural growth "for the purpose of the cultural point of view of combining and democracy through the industry the two big theme analysis and criticism of modern society, to explore the value of culture, through long-term cultural integration to realize" cultural community "theory, to restore culture in the process of the whole society overall status and popular position, the ultimate goal is the pursuit of" common culture ", really realize the democracy, freedom and equality.Williams’ s cultural philosophy of Birmingham school, western marxism, and even the cultural research field has a far-reaching influence. Study of his cultural philosophy is of great significance: first, help to deep understanding of the capitalist society and its cultural phenomenon. Second, help to expand cultural philosophy research theory horizon. Third, help to develop marxist philosophy research field of vision. Williams in understanding and using aspects, such as how to treat marxism classical theory, how to apply the marxist method to observe, understand and solve problems in reality, how to adhere to the basic position of marxism, etc.- all, help to promote the study of marxist philosophy. Fourth, contribute to cultural construction in our country. Williams’ s theory of mass culture, the types of cultural theory and cultural hegemony theory and so on, all have important significance.Williams’ s cultural philosophy also has certain limitations, such as exaggerating the role of culture and common culture of transcendence and utopia color, etc. These limitations is also important, can make us from another Angle, a deeper understanding of history and the culture of our time.