Marx and Ethics

by Philip J. Kain

This book traces the development of Marx's ethics as they underwent various shifts and changes during different periods of his thought. In his early writings, his ethics were based on a concept of essence much like Aristotle's, which Marx tried to link to a principle of universalization
similar to Kant's "categorical imperative." In the period 1845-46, Marx abandoned this view, holding morality to be incompatible with his historical materialism. In the later work he was less of a determinist. Though he no longer wished to reject morality, he did want to transcend a morality of
burdensome obligation and constraint in order to realize a community built upon spontaneous bonds of solidarity.

Genres: Politics

232 pages, Hardcover

First published March 16, 1989