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A MARXIAN CONCEPT OF HUMAN NATURE IN DEFENSE OF ALIENATION: A REVOLUTIONARY EXEGESIS OF A REVOLUTIONARY PHILOSOPHY

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Date Issued:
2012
Abstract/Description:
Two long-standing and erroneous claims have plagued Marxism for the past century. First, Marx held no static view of human-nature. Second, Marx's theory of alienation was the naïve view of a young Marx, which was jettisoned in his wiser adult years. Both views are demonstrable false. Moreover, the validity of his theory of human nature, and alienation, are contingent upon the acceptance of each other. One cannot fully comprehend his view of alienation without understanding his view of human nature, and vice versa. Upon demonstrating Marx's theory of human nature, and defending it as a crucial bedrock for the theory of alienation, mainstream rejections of each will be considered, and critiqued. The constant misunderstanding of Marx's theory of human nature comes in his unique theory of essence. He is an essentialist, with a fluid conception of man's essence. One's historical essence is an ensemble of socio-historical reflections, dialectically interplaying off a historically transcending essentialism.
Title: A MARXIAN CONCEPT OF HUMAN NATURE IN DEFENSE OF ALIENATION: A REVOLUTIONARY EXEGESIS OF A REVOLUTIONARY PHILOSOPHY.
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Name(s): Byron, Christopher, Author
Jones, Donald, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2012
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Two long-standing and erroneous claims have plagued Marxism for the past century. First, Marx held no static view of human-nature. Second, Marx's theory of alienation was the naïve view of a young Marx, which was jettisoned in his wiser adult years. Both views are demonstrable false. Moreover, the validity of his theory of human nature, and alienation, are contingent upon the acceptance of each other. One cannot fully comprehend his view of alienation without understanding his view of human nature, and vice versa. Upon demonstrating Marx's theory of human nature, and defending it as a crucial bedrock for the theory of alienation, mainstream rejections of each will be considered, and critiqued. The constant misunderstanding of Marx's theory of human nature comes in his unique theory of essence. He is an essentialist, with a fluid conception of man's essence. One's historical essence is an ensemble of socio-historical reflections, dialectically interplaying off a historically transcending essentialism.
Identifier: CFH0004149 (IID), ucf:44831 (fedora)
Note(s): 2012-05-01
B.A.
Arts and Humanities, Dept. of Philosophy
Bachelors
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Marx
Marxism
Alienation
Althusser
Human Nature
Humane essence
Species Being
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004149
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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