Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844

Main Ideas

• Alienation of labor: Marx analyzes how in capitalist society, workers are alienated from the product of their labor, the production process, their essence, and other people.
• Human nature and labor: Marx asserts that labor is the foundation of human nature and self-expression, but under capitalism, it becomes forced and alienated.
• Critique of political economy: Marx criticizes classical political economy for ignoring the human and social aspects of labor and production.
• Private property: Marx views private property as a source of alienation and inequality in society.
• Communism as a solution: Marx sees communism as a way to overcome alienation and restore true human nature through collective ownership of the means of production.
• Human needs and development: Marx discusses how capitalism limits the development of human needs and potential, subordinating them to the logic of profit.