Comparing Marx And Immanuel Kant's Definition Of Freedom

Liberty and freedom are interchangeable terms for a definition that can be widely characterized in different ways. Despite the different views of freedom, there are two sub definitions that are negative and positive. Negative freedom is associated with the restriction after an individual over steps or forces themselves on to another’s freedom (Shabani, 2014, p. 285). Constraining another’s freedom is negative, but the constraints can place more liberty in a society and result in less harm towards others (Shabani, 2014, p. 285). Positive freedom can be defined as a goal people aim for (V. Burke, November 3, 2016). They can also be goals that society aims for, and to maintain the liberty is a positive aim (V. Burke, November 3, 2016). It is the intent of this paper to prove that philosophers Karl Marx and Immanuel Kant have different expectations of modern freedom because Marx’s attitude is towards positive freedom with the idea of the bourgeoisie, proletariats and the idea of communism, while Kant believes in negative liberty through a democratic society. Moreover, the two philosophers’ …show more content…
Marx views equality with no class distinctions. However, because Marx believes that only the upper class can truly be free there is a lack of equality found between the proletariats and the bourgeoisie. Even if the bourgeoisie are the only ones to be free there is some sense of equality between the proletariats. The development of the industry increases the number of proletariats and the conditions of life become equalized in the proletariats life (Shabani, 2014, p. 239). The proletariat then builds up a rebellion against the bourgeoisies because with the constant competition they realize they are not equal so to maintain the freedom of equality the proletariats must rebel against the upper class (Shabani, 2014, p.