The Poverty of Philosophy

Historical Context and Significance

Karl Marx's book «The Poverty of Philosophy», published in 1847, is a critical response to Proudhon's work «The Philosophy of Poverty». In this work, Marx develops his ideas on class struggle and economic theory, opposing them to Proudhon's views. He critiques utopian socialism and emphasizes the importance of a scientific approach to analyzing the capitalist system. «The Poverty of Philosophy» played a significant role in shaping Marxist theory and influenced the development of the socialist movement in Europe. The book also helped to solidify Marx's position as a leading theorist of socialism, laying the groundwork for the further development of his economic and philosophical ideas, which were later reflected in works such as «Capital». Thus, «The Poverty of Philosophy» holds important historical significance as part of the intellectual struggle to rethink the economic and social structures of the 19th century.