Alienated Labor Karl Marx Analysis

The article that I have chosen to discuss is Alienation from Species-Life from Karl Marx’s Alienated Labor. This article addresses the issues of what makes up our human nature and how alienated labor relates to this. Marx’s main argument is that alienated labor is separating us from what make us human. Karl Marx sees that one of the main foundations of humanity is for humans to produce. This is since; humans are the only species that produces, even if there is not a need. He believes that in a capitalistic society humans only produce to accumulate wealth and do not own the fruits of their labor. This is where he concludes that not owning the fruits of their labor alienates humans from their species. Marx’s article brings us to really question the world we are living in. Are we really doing what we are intended to do? Are we a slave of our own labor? Although these questions come to mind when reading this article, I would still have to disagree with Marx. I disagree with Marx’s idea that labor in a system of capitalism is Alienating us from our own human nature or species-being. Where I disagree with Marx’s argument is that humans producing even if there is no need are a part of our species-being or human nature, that humans not owning …show more content…
He believed that alienated labor was one of the main reasons for misery in the world. In this view, we are considered slaves to labor, and that it alienates us from others and ourselves. Marx would consider capitalistic societies to be creating this feeling of alienation. Where I have to disagree with him is whether or not we really exist as slaves to our laborers. I don't believe this because in a system of capitalism your decisions in life determine where you end up. If we were really slaves wouldn't we not have choices because those would already be predetermined. In this system there is nothing stopping anyone from being