Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Karl Marx's theory of alienation, one of the most important concepts that can be found in his work. The writer provides a definition of alienation,and distinguishes four types of alienation in Marx's work, explaining them in detail. According to Marx, alienation is a result of the capitalist society in which private property divides people into owners and workers, and is the estrangement that people undergo in relation to their fellowmen, their work and their products. The influence of other philosophers on Marx's theory is also discussed, and how his theory differs from theirs. The paper also looks at some new political ideologies which arose from Marx's theory, and how these have altered the meaning of his concept of alienation.

Outline:
Alienation, Definition
Human Nature
Capitalist Reality
Alienation- types
The Roots. Feudalism.
Capitalism - Characteristics
The Division of Labour
The Alienation of the Worker From His Own Species-Essence/Species-Being
The Alienation Between Workers
The Alienation of the Worker From His Product
Uses of the Theory
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"While his view was socialist, the philosopher also supported the existence of a political democracy. On the one hand, the individual had to be helped in his endeavours and be provided with all his rights and liberties. On the other hand, the individual had to assert his freedom through the exercise of his rights. In other words, humans must be aware of their own condition as well as of the world which surrounds them and the facts which occur, decide what are the best actions to be performed and last, but not least perform them."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Alienation in capitalist society". Education Bulletin. November 21, 2008 http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/education/alienation.html
• Braverman, H ."Labour and monopoly capitalism". November 20, 1998 http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj79/cox.htm
• Cox, Judy. 1998. "An introduction to Marx's theory of alienation". International Socialism. November 21, 2008 http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj79/cox.htm
• Feuerbach, L. "The essence of Christianity". November 18, 2008 http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/feuerbach/works/essence/index.htm
• Fischer, E. "How to read Karl Marx". November 19, 2008 http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj79/cox.htm

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