Karl Marx: Alienated Labor

Alienated Labor: Karl Marx

Adult Great Books Program, First Series, Volume 1, 1985

Discussion Questions

1. What does Marx mean by “alienation?” What are the types of alienation, according to Marx?

2. According to Marx, how is “social misery” the goal of capitalism? [page 186, para 3]

3. Marx says (page 188, para 3) that the worker becomes poorer the more he produces. What does he mean by this? Do you agree?

4. Would Marx’s views of alienation apply to knowledge workers?

a. Doctors?

b. Computer professionals?

c. Government workers?

d. Service workers?

e. Teachers?

f. Entrepreneurs who run their own businesses?

5. What would Marx think of today’s gig economy?

6. Per Marx, what might an “unalienated” worker look like?

7. If a worker enjoyed his/her job, would he/she still experience alienation, per Marx?

8. Have unions and improved laws on worker safety and rights alleviated the conditions that produce alienation?

9. Do socialist and communist countries have alienated workers? What would Marx say? Do you agree or disagree?

10. Since Marx, financial aspects of the workplace have changed significantly: insurance benefits, overtime pay, pensions, 401k’s, employee-owned enterprises, etc. How do these changes affect Marx’s theory on the struggle between capital and labor?

11. We have all met people who find meaning and satisfaction in their jobs. Many times, new retirees will say that they have “lost” their purpose and meaning. How would Marx explain this?

TWO-PART BONUS QUESTION!

12. Do capitalists have a “conscience”, in the Kantian sense? What would Marx say? Would Marx say that Kurtz (from Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”) was an alienated worker?