On April 23, 2024, Professor Huang Wang from the School of Marxism at Southern Medical University was invited to deliver a compelling lecture to the faculty and students of Shenzhen University titled “Why Does Capital Overreach? — Capital from the Perspectives of Structuralism and Psychoanalysis.” The lecture was hosted by Professor Zhang Shoukui, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism at Shenzhen University, and attended by numerous faculty members and students.

In his lecture, Professor Huang first noted that commodities, as a unity of use value and value, form the underlying logic of capitalism. He explained that the use value of commodities is understood from the physiological and physical aspects of labor products, while value is grasped through its social attributes, defining the essence of commodities. This approach, he argued, helps to avoid idealistic pitfalls and maintain a historical materialist stance.

Professor Huang then provided an in-depth interpretation of Capital from the perspective of structuralist psychoanalysis. He discussed the work of scholars like Althusser who studied Marx through a structuralist lens, noting the significance of this research in reinterpreting Capital. He emphasized the need to understand commodities as a unity of use value and value, with value holding a central place as a social attribute.

Additionally, Professor Huang shared his thoughts on reinterpreting Capital using theoretical resources from structuralist psychoanalysis. He argued that these resources can deepen our understanding of capital’s logic and expose the inherent contradictions and issues within capitalist society. He also cautioned students and faculty to approach these theories with critical awareness, avoiding overly narrow or extreme interpretations.

At the end of the lecture, Professor Zhang Shoukui expressed gratitude to Professor Huang for his insightful presentation and provided concluding remarks. He noted that the lecture was rich in content, intellectually stimulating, and politically profound, enhancing the professional knowledge of the attendees and fostering a positive academic atmosphere. The lecture concluded successfully amid lively discussion.