Paper Summary:

This paper examines the worker and the alienation he experiences as presented in Karl Marx's "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844." The four forms of alienation inherent in the capitalistic system are named and analyzed according to Marx's viewpoint. Also cited are Marx's views toward alienation as expressed in his work, "Capital." The author concludes by stating that these forms of alienation inherent in capitalist society are the basis for Marx's rejection of capitalism as fundamentally flawed.

From the Paper:

"The first type of alienation Marx discusses in his Manuscripts is that of the worker from the object of production. He says: "The object which labour produces -- labour's product -- confronts it as something alien, as a power independent of the producer." (p. 71) "The more the worker spends himself, the more powerful the alien objective world becomes which he creates over-against himself, the poorer he himself -- his inner world -- becomes, the less belongs to him as his own." (p. 72) The gist of Marx's discussion is this: when the worker produces something, he imparts some of his essence to the object. However, the object does not belong to the worker to sell, but to the capitalist, and thus is an alien power."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Marx, Karl "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 "
• Marx, Karl "Capital"

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