Raskolnikov speaks today: Marxism and alienation in Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment and the implications for business ethics education
by Kieran James, Susan P. Briggs, Eunice M. James
International Journal of Critical Accounting (IJCA), Vol. 3, No. 4, 2011

Abstract: In this paper, we explore main themes in Fyodor Dostoyevsky's great existentialist 19th century Russian novel Crime and Punishment. We accept the traditional existentialist and Russian Orthodox interpretations of the novel's themes but we also argue that the actions of the novel's main character, the unemployed young student Raskolnikov, contain within them a Marxist critique of the corrupting power of wealth (in the sense that Terry Eagleton uses the term 'Marxist critique'). Raskolnikov reveals the contradictions and selfish motives behind the actions of outwardly respectable aristocrats in the novel. Existentially, Raskolnikov recreates himself anew through his actions. We argue that the complex social consciousness of Raskolnikov, where he is a living critique of the established society without being seemingly outwardly a 'political person', makes him an eternal type that we may encounter again in our postmodern accounting classrooms. This suggests that, to avoid the 24/7 'Raskolnikov gaze' as educators today, we must join him in recreating ourselves by helping the less fortunate and exploited. By studying Dostoyevsky in business ethics classes, we will do our business students a great service as they can be introduced through the character of Raskolnikov, to the existential concept of recreating oneself through positive action and helping others.

Online publication date: Tue, 21-Oct-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Critical Accounting (IJCA):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com