Towards an "Ethical" Reading of Karl Marx’s Philosophy
Published:
Mar 25, 2020
Keywords:
Karl Marx; Ethical Philosophy; Praxis; Alienation; German Ideology; Humanism; Social Philosophy; Ludwig Wittgenstein
Abstract
This article explores the implicit ethical dimensions within the work of Karl Marx, addressing the paradox of why Marx never developed a specialized moral theory despite the deeply normative motives of his critique. The author argues that Marx’s avoidance of absolute normative schemas was a strategic reaction against Hegelian idealism, Feuerbach’s static anthropology, and the one-sided materialism of the French Enlightenment. By examining Marx's early writings up to 1846, the paper identifies "praxis" as the central axis where human existence and moral action intersect. The study further engages with contemporary "humanist" interpretations of Marxism, drawing parallels with Wittgensteinian social philosophy and the work of thinkers like Susan Easton and Peter Winch. The author concludes that a modern "ethical" reading of Marx reveals a philosophy rooted in the realization of human potential and the critique of alienation, rather than a mere economic determinism.
Article Details
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Lazou, A. (2020). Towards an "Ethical" Reading of Karl Marx’s Philosophy . Ηθική. Περιοδικό φιλοσοφίας, (5), 6–16. https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.22685
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- No. 5 (2008)
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