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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper looks at the theories of Marx and Durkheim. The theories are compared and contrasted and related to Enlightenment ideals. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
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3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA522enl.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Marx, it seems that the Enlightenment ideal of freedom was certainly captured in his concept of alienation. For Marx, the lack of freedom would be found in the suffering of
man in his struggle with alienation. Alienation would be the direct result of the system of capitalism, something that is also equated with inequality. Marx used the concept of alienation
quite frequently and it is integral to many of his theories pertaining to capitalism as well as other matters. It is important to realize that Marx saw work as
mans highest good; to him, humans could express creativity and individuality through it (McLeish 20). The premise holds true today. Although not everyone agrees with that, many who do are
capitalists, which is quite ironic. An alienated worker, according to Marx, does not find work rewarding and cannot express creativity while working for somebody else (McLeish 20). Still, the experience
of alienation is more than boredom; rather, it refers to the workers sense of powerlessness and a lack of control over his day to day efforts ( McLeish 20). This
is key. Even though someone may be bored at work, it is only capitalism that contributes to the sense of controlling a workers actions. If he performed for himself, the
worker would not feel alienated by his efforts. According to Marx, a great deal of alienation will arise from capitalism because only a few workers own their own businesses (McLeish
20).In Marxs view, alienation is inevitable in a capitalist system. The concept of progress is seen in Marxs theory of historical materialism. This concept is essentially the philosophy of
history according to Marx (McLeish 348). Historical materialism is, briefly, a theory which assumes progress in human history as defined by technological advancement; it further explains property, political and ideological
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