Alienation Revisited: A Critical Analysis of Karl Marx’s Early Writings

Abstract

This study explores Karl Marx's concept of alienation, a key theme in philosophy and social sciences due to its relevance to human conditions under capitalism. It critically analyzes how capitalist systems cause workers to become alienated—from the products they create, the production process, their own humanity, and fellow humans. The analysis focuses on factors that reinforce alienation, such as private property, political economy, and the division of labor. The study also examines Marx’s proposed solution: the abolition of private property and the establishment of a communist society as a means to overcome alienation. Additionally, it addresses key criticisms of Marx’s theory, including its focus on the working class to the exclusion of other dimensions of alienation, such as existential or spiritual aspects. Despite these critiques, the study concludes that Marx’s theory remains a compelling framework for understanding alienation and human suffering in contemporary capitalist societies.