Karl Marx

Karl Marx

Karl Marx was a well-known supporter of communism and theorist from the 19th century. His ideas led to some well-known theories on society, economics, and philosophy. One of the passages we read from the manuscript, "The Meaning of Human Requirements," talks about the irony of the capitalist system. He explains how the system works and breaks down the different aspects of society in the system. Each has its own theory, and the theories are very relative to modern American society. Overall, he explains how human nature is both productive and damaging in this system. In popular terms, this theory has come to be called the theory of alienation. It has become a staple of our society and has been a result of the capitalist system as viewed by Marx. In my opinion, what Marx has studied is realized to be true.

First, Marx speaks of gratification of need. He explains here that if there is a need that needs to be supplied or just wanted to be supplied, there must be a sacrifice (147). With the sacrifice comes a greater want for the particular object and will ultimately lead to an upset in your economic being. I do agree with this particular theory. It happens in our everyday lives. For instance, if one wanted to eat a burger from Burger King, they must spend money on the

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burger. They could have used that money to pay for gas, for example. In the gratification of hunger and craving, they upset their main budget which included paying for gas.

Connecting the cycle here, Marx explains that once the economic upset has been complete, the need for money continues as the need for more items as well as the necessities continues. Marx put it simply as this: "[one's] neediness grows as the power of money increases (147)." In essence, one necessarily needs money to survive in the capitalistic environment. This is definitely a true statement. Thinking logically, if one does not have money to eat, to pay bills, or to buy clothes, they cannot survive in our society. Money has become the biggest need to live comfortably in our society.

Along with the power and necessity of money in society comes the realization of its limitations in quantity and quality. After so much money is made and/or gained, it starts to lose its power and so does the person who is entitled to it. These results in what Marx explains as imaginary appetites (147-48). He explains them as inhuman and unnatural wants that are lacking in character and driven by spontaneity. This is not something new to society. People have wasted money on extravagant wants and later they end up bankrupt, divorced, friendless, and a list of many other negative results.

One of those results Marx refers to as the exploitation of human nature (148). A person shows their ability to take advantage of a good person's help. This happens all the time in our society. It is where a person is trusted to benefit from a favor and repay, but in the end does not hold up on their end of the bargain. We have seen numerous friendships broken, lawsuits filed, fights and feuds started, and debts compiled due to this one sole realization. It is not something

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that is needed in society, but is prevalent and has caused many people to distrust one another in society.

Many people are even creating barriers between themselves and others to avoid such a problem. Marx refers to the final stage as estrangement (148). Estrangement can come in different ways. It can come in a person's ignorance of others or a change in attitude towards someone or something. It can be noticeable or small. Our most noticeable examples of this action have come from those of big celebrities. Persons like Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton have all had notable actions of estrangement. Money caused these particular