Marxism: A Note on the Philosophical School

Marxism, perhaps more than any other philosophical school of thought in the modern era, has stirred the minds, hearts, and struggles of individuals across the globe. Born from the sharp critique of capitalism and the vision of a just society, it has stood as both a rallying cry for revolution and a subject of intense academic inquiry. This book seeks to present the evolution of Marxist philosophy, its internal debates, and its relevance in a world grappling with deep inequalities, ecological crises, and shifting political paradigms.

The philosophical foundations of Marxism trace their roots to the intellectual upheavals of 19th-century Europe. Karl Marx, alongside Friedrich Engels, synthesized the critical currents of German idealism (particularly Hegel), British political economy (especially Adam Smith and David Ricardo), and French socialism. Yet, Marxism was never merely a sum of its parts; it emerged as a transformative critique of existing social relations and a method for understanding—and changing—the world. Marx’s materialist conception of history, his theory of class struggle, and his analysis of capital are not static doctrines but dynamic tools meant to interpret and intervene in society.

Marxism posits that human history is shaped by material conditions and economic relations, and that the engine of historical change lies in the conflict between social classes. At its core is a belief that capitalism, while historically progressive in its early development, inevitably generates contradictions—between labor and capital, use value and exchange value, private property and social need—that make it unsustainable. These contradictions, Marx argued, would ultimately lead to the system’s demise and the emergence of a classless, communist society.

This book does not seek to offer a dogmatic account of Marxism but rather to engage with its rich and often contested legacy. Marxist thought has undergone numerous transformations—through Leninism, Maoism, Western Marxism, critical theory, and post-Marxism, among others. Each of these variations has attempted to adapt Marxist analysis to new contexts, from the dynamics of imperialism and colonialism to questions of ideology, culture, and subjectivity. The diversity within Marxist theory is a testament to its vitality and its capacity for self-critique.

Equally important is the relationship between theory and practice. Marxism has always emphasized praxis: the unity of philosophical reflection and political action. It is in the struggles of workers, peasants, students, and activists that Marxist ideas have found their most powerful expressions. From the Paris Commune to the Russian Revolution, from anti-colonial liberation movements to contemporary debates on climate justice and neoliberalism, Marxism has served as both a lens and a weapon.

Yet, we must also confront the complexities and failures of Marxist-inspired regimes and movements. The history of Marxism includes authoritarian distortions, economic hardships, and deep ethical dilemmas. This book does not shy away from these issues. Instead, it seeks to understand them in their historical specificity and to ask what lessons can be learned for the future.

The chapters that follow aim to introduce you to the philosophical dimensions of Marxism, including its ontology, epistemology, and ethics. We will consider the debates surrounding historical materialism, the nature of ideology, the critique of alienation, and the vision of human emancipation as well as how Marxism interacts with other critical traditions, such as feminism, postcolonialism, and ecology.

In reading this book, I invite you not only to study Marxism but to engage with it critically and imaginatively. For in the words of Marx himself, “Philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.”

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E-bog: 6. november 2025