Lecture 2

Question 1

When does Marx meets Engels

Answer 1

In 1842

Question 2

2 Key concepts of Hegel

Answer 2

1. Dialectic

2. Idealism

Question 3

Dialectic

Answer 3

A way of getting to the truth through debate between 2 people
Marx was inspired by this

Question 4

Idealism

Answer 4

Argues that reality exists in the world of ideas, that consciousness proceeds beings, mind over matter
Marx rejected this because not interested in ideas, more interested in what we have.

Question 5

Feuerbach’s use of materialism

Answer 5

Religion comes from people not God

Too abstract for Marx, he believes in action and the praxis is not recognized by Feuerbach

Question 6

Historical Materialism or dialectical

Answer 6

Analyzes concrete and material conflicts, coined by Engels and Marx adds to this approach.

Question 7

What are two contradictions for Marx

Answer 7

1. People who produce commodities do not own it’s commodities
2. It is foreign logic to our needs for people who produce for profit rather than based on people’s needs

Question 8

How to start a revolution

Answer 8

1. Thesis: Current state of doing things
2. Antithesis: Negative conflict issue
3. Synthesis: New way of doing things

Question 9

What is Marx’s superstructure

Answer 9

The superstructure which consists of ideologies, religion, culture, morality, beliefs, ideas, laws and politics, is derived from the economic base which consists of the modes of production which branch off into a) forces of production; resources, labor power, mental and physical capacities and tools, and b) relations of production; who does what, who owns what, varies historically.

Question 10

The 5 stages in in the development of human labor

Answer 10

1. Primitive communist societies
2. Ancient societies
3. Feudal societies
4. Capitalism
5. Communist societies

Question 11

Primitive communist societies

Answer 11

Classless/no private property
very low division of labor
beliefs: part of nature

Question 12

Ancient Societies

Answer 12

Linear understanding of time (evolving)
Private property begins and division of labor becomes more complex, leading to more sedentary lifestyles, aggriculture.
2 main classes; Masters and Slaves

Question 13

Feudal societies

Answer 13

Peasant based, which developed after the fall of major Empires (Rome), lots of feud/conflict and its main classes;
1. Nobility (own land)
2. clergy (own land)
3. Merchants
4. The guild artisans (makes things)
5. Serfs (tied to the land of Monarch, can work and have right to portion of the produce)
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Question 14

Capitalism

Answer 14

Full blown private ownership of means of production which leads to high division of labor and consists of two men classes; 1. The bourgeoisie and 2. The proletariat
Marx had hope we have had moved on to communism by now

Question 15

Communist societies (Marx’s imagination)

Answer 15

Injustice would be abolished, ownership would be collective, the state would eventually die off, classes would disappear, there would be no more private property