Marxism and Social Work: lecture by Professor José Paulo Netto

Abstract

The following manuscript results from the transcription — albeit with some adaptations — of the lecture given by
Professor José Paulo Netto, on September 29, 2020. The text was reviewed by the speaker himself, who, after careful reading,
approved it for publication. The aforementioned event was organized by the Postgraduate Program in Social Work, at the 

Federal University of Santa Catarina. Since we were already facing the global health crisis resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the
lecture was held in a Webinar format and coordinated by me. During the occasion, Professor José Paulo Netto addressed the theme
entitled Marxism and Social Work: reflections on research, knowledge production, and the challenges of social workers’ practice. As
we pointed out at the time, Professor José Paulo Netto has undeniable charisma and widely acknowledged intellectual competence.
The theme was tackled by one of the most important Marxists in Brazil today. His contributions surpass the boundaries of Social
Work, both Brazilian and Latin American, Caribbean and European. José Paulo Netto has enriched Marxist social theory in general
and, therefore, he also has an impact on other areas of knowledge, which further strengthens the Brazilian Social Work, since he
is a representative of this category. Those who know him are aware that his intellectual career is accompanied by a life of political
militancy, in the context of anti-capitalist struggles. Not by chance, José Paulo Netto has received the title of being a restless Marxist,
not only for his efforts in the academic field, but also for his capacity to challenge and shed light on the agendas and struggles of the
working class. This lecture by José Paulo Netto which now is brought to the general public in the form of a written piece, published
in this issue of Katálysis Journal, was held right before the release of what has already been recognized as one of his most important
intellectual works. His book Marx: a biography, which was released in late 2020 and fulfilled one the author’s teenage dream. This
dream come true, perhaps more than he could have imagined, has gained social force to the extent that it has raised in scholars of
Marxism, beginners or not, relevant questions about our historical time from the work and life of Karl Marx, which highlights the
relevance of his thought to guide the struggles for human emancipation.