Human Nature
Human beings have the capability of being quite despicable in situations involving monetary gain, power, or control. This is often associated with individuals in government or those of higher social status. In order to diminish such control over other individuals of less social or political power, Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill proposed their own stance on the influence government should have. Both individuals differ in their belief of individuality, liberty, freedom and self cultivation as forms that best define our human nature. Marx and Mill also differ in how such ideas are to be carried out. Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill explain their views based on the control government should possess. Mills, for example, believes that …show more content…
Mill describes individuality “as essential to the cultivation of the self (Mill 63).” This means that a society that instills its ideals is not allowing for personal growth, but instead is rejecting what is essential to ones well being. Therefore, it is important to make choices rather than just accepting what one is told. Only then is the individual fully utilizing their natural abilities. Since the person now has the ability to make choices, they will most likely not conform. As a result, one will bring about originality. This helps lead to social progress because of one’s own criteria to make choices and one’s ability to acknowledge the different ideas people have. Mill believes that those who are forced to conform do not learn from others and he calls this “despotism of custom (Mill 70).” In contrast to this view is Karl Marx idea that such individuality does not lead to cultivation of the self, but rather intensifies the inequality between classes and creates exploitation through private property. He also believes that a conformist society is best. Community is believed to help self cultivation. This can be seen in the comparison between communists and proletarians (Marx …show more content…
Mill describes such progress as a genius that “can only breathe free in an atmosphere of freedom (Mill 64).” One is able to freely express ideas and act on them due to such liberty. Marx, on the other hand, describes progress as a form of struggle. This is an example of how freedom is intuitive and part of human nature. The proletarians continually fight against the bourgeoisie who restrict their freedom (Marx 13-26). Progress is also seen through Marx theory of history and class struggles. The principle of such history deals with a particular economic theme that creates a economic structure for societies. This economic structure gives rise to different classes that oppress one another. The oppression created is not infinite, but instead changes with history (Marx 13-26). In conclusion, human nature is important to both Marx and Mill. The essential components of human nature: Individuality and freedom are viewed differently in the societies of Marx and Mill. Progress is also an important component of individuality and freedom because it represents the ability of human beings to move forward from old ideas to new.
Work Cited
Mill, John Stuart, and Alburey Castell. On Liberty. Northbrook, IL: AHM Pub., 1947. Print.
Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. New York: Bantam, 1992.
Human beings have the capability of being quite despicable in situations involving monetary gain, power, or control. This is often associated with individuals in government or those of higher social status. In order to diminish such control over other individuals of less social or political power, Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill proposed their own stance on the influence government should have. Both individuals differ in their belief of individuality, liberty, freedom and self cultivation as forms that best define our human nature. Marx and Mill also differ in how such ideas are to be carried out. Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill explain their views based on the control government should possess. Mills, for example, believes that …show more content…
Mill describes individuality “as essential to the cultivation of the self (Mill 63).” This means that a society that instills its ideals is not allowing for personal growth, but instead is rejecting what is essential to ones well being. Therefore, it is important to make choices rather than just accepting what one is told. Only then is the individual fully utilizing their natural abilities. Since the person now has the ability to make choices, they will most likely not conform. As a result, one will bring about originality. This helps lead to social progress because of one’s own criteria to make choices and one’s ability to acknowledge the different ideas people have. Mill believes that those who are forced to conform do not learn from others and he calls this “despotism of custom (Mill 70).” In contrast to this view is Karl Marx idea that such individuality does not lead to cultivation of the self, but rather intensifies the inequality between classes and creates exploitation through private property. He also believes that a conformist society is best. Community is believed to help self cultivation. This can be seen in the comparison between communists and proletarians (Marx …show more content…
Mill describes such progress as a genius that “can only breathe free in an atmosphere of freedom (Mill 64).” One is able to freely express ideas and act on them due to such liberty. Marx, on the other hand, describes progress as a form of struggle. This is an example of how freedom is intuitive and part of human nature. The proletarians continually fight against the bourgeoisie who restrict their freedom (Marx 13-26). Progress is also seen through Marx theory of history and class struggles. The principle of such history deals with a particular economic theme that creates a economic structure for societies. This economic structure gives rise to different classes that oppress one another. The oppression created is not infinite, but instead changes with history (Marx 13-26). In conclusion, human nature is important to both Marx and Mill. The essential components of human nature: Individuality and freedom are viewed differently in the societies of Marx and Mill. Progress is also an important component of individuality and freedom because it represents the ability of human beings to move forward from old ideas to new.
Work Cited
Mill, John Stuart, and Alburey Castell. On Liberty. Northbrook, IL: AHM Pub., 1947. Print.
Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. New York: Bantam, 1992.