Karl Marx, the 19th century economist and philosopher, made a profound (and international) impact not only in his own time, but also in our own. He was a strong advocate of communism, and despite much criticism, Marx inspired the creation of European socialist parties and the establishment of communism in countries like Russia and China through his work on dangers of the capitalist system. Born May 5th, 1818 in Trier, Prussia, he attended Bonn University, University of Berlin, and University of Jena; receiving his doctorate, he studied classics and philosophy. Marx was prolific both in his philosophical work and in his political involvement: he was the editor of a radical Cologne newspaper, moved to Paris to be a journalist, was involved in the Communist League in France, developed his theory of history with Friedrich Engels in Brussels, and helped organize the International Working Men’s Association in London. Throughout his life, he experienced a series of expulsions from several European countries for his involvement in revolutionary political movements.

The Role of Ideology

Quote: “Men who develop their material production and their material relationships alter their thinking and the products of their thinking along with their real existence. Consciousness does not determine life, but life determines consciousness,” (On the German Ideology, 30).

Marx means...

● Ideology is grounded in how people live

● Life determines perception, rather than the other way around

● Ideas are generated to serve the interest of people in power, and to help maintain their power

● New way of thinking: against the idea of “natural law.” He critiqued the theories of philosophers like Plato, Augustine, and Locke who argued that ideas are not created by people, but are natural and eternal. Marx would view Locke’s theory of slavery as Locke’s justification for his own slave-owning; Marx argues slavery turns the victim into the criminal in Locke’s theory.

Question for thought: If all ideology is created by humans, how do we determine the right way to live, treat others, and make decisions?

Capitalism is Corrupt!

Quote: “All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned,” (Bourgeois and Proletarians, 35)

Marx Means…

● Capitalism has ruined the sincerity, meaning, and fun in almost everything

Contemporary Examples:

● Sports have transformed from fun activities into money-making mechanisms for college scholarships and television entertainment, giving rise to illegal steroid drug use

● Traveling is about making money through attractions and entertainment rather than exhibiting the culture true to the area; it’s about making the traveler spend as much money as possible

● The destruction of rainforests for lumber aids capitalistic pursuits at the cost of destroying ecosystems

● Obesity is now epidemic due to the capitalistic food industry; by triggering the public’s appetite and cravings for food, and increasing availability and convenience, people are persuaded to eat as much and whenever possible, despite the nutritional repercussions.

Question for thought: Has capitalism caused its societies to be contaminated with all that is unnatural?

Quote: “Converted the physician, the lawyer, the priest, the poet, the man of science, into its paid wage laborers,” (Bourgeois and Proletarians, 35)

Marx means…

● As a result of capitalism, career choice has become merely a quest for the highest wages, rather than the love for one’s work.

Contemporary Examples:

● “Case of the Mondays” & “Thank God It’s Friday”

- Most people are unhappy going to work, stuck behind a desk all day, for a six figure salary (or less).

- People pursue professions based on money; they work in anticipation for the weekend when they could have been following their dreams

Questions for thought:

● Would we have many of the luxuries we have today if it weren’t for our “professional” drive for wages?

● Would important positions to society, like doctors, be as qualified as they are if the high wages weren’t an incentive?

By: Brian Hardecker and Alex Russomagno

References:

Karl Marx, World Eras, Vol. 9: Industrial Revolution in Europe (1750-1914). Gale Group, 2002.

Karl Marx, On the German Ideology and Bourgeois and Proletarians from Introduction to Philosophy: Readings compiled by John Immerwahr. Villanova: Villanova University, Dec. 2008.