The Philosophy of Karl Marx

Catalog description

Karl Marx is one of the most influential thinkers in human history. He is also one of the most controversial. There are many "Marxists" in the world, and there are many who regard Marx as a dangerous and pernicious figure. Often, however, people form strong opinions like these based on second-hand information. Although most know Marx's name, it is a rarer thing to have actually read him. Marx contributed to many fields: he studied law, he worked as a journalist, he wrote works in classics, economics, history, and anthropology, and he led a major political movement. He was also a philosopher - and it was arguably as a philosopher that he produced his most original works. In this course, we will read a broad selection of Marx's writings with the aim of developing an understanding of his distinctive philosophy. In the process, we will explore fundamental questions, including but not limited to the following: What is the meaning of freedom? Is true equality possible? What is the value of work? What is capitalism? What is class? How and why do revolutions occur? Do ideas have the power to make history? What impact does technology have on our lives? And what, ultimately, does the future hold in store for us?