Communism and Humanism - Karl Marx

 What exactly Karl Marx said about the relationship between communism and humanism ? Provide his quotation.

Karl Marx's views on the relationship between communism and humanism are deeply rooted in his critique of alienation and his vision for a society where human potential is fully realized. Marx saw communism not just as a political or economic system, but as a means to achieve human emancipation and the flourishing of human nature.

Key Concepts of Marx's View on Communism and Humanism

1. Humanism as the Foundation of Communism: Marx viewed communism as the ultimate form of humanism, where the alienation caused by capitalism is abolished. In the Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, he describes communism as the "real appropriation of the human essence by and for man."

   “Communism as the positive abolition of private property, as human self-estrangement, and therefore the real appropriation of the human essence through and for man.”
   (Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844)

2. Overcoming Alienation: Marx argued that under capitalism, human beings are alienated from their labor, the products of their labor, and even their fellow humans. Communism seeks to restore the individual's connection to their work and society.

   “In communism, the positive transcendence of private property as human self-estrangement, labor no longer appears as the medium by which people are subordinated to property. Instead, labor is a free and creative expression of humanity.”

3. Communism as True Human Freedom: For Marx, communism was synonymous with a society that enables individuals to develop their abilities and pursue fulfillment in a collective setting.

   “The free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.”
   (The Communist Manifesto, 1848)

4. Humanism Through Praxis: Marx emphasized that communism is not a static goal but an active process of human liberation through praxis—transformative action that unites thought and practice.

   “Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.”
   (Theses on Feuerbach, 1845)

5. Critique of Idealist Humanism: Marx rejected abstract or idealist humanism that ignored material realities. Instead, his humanism was grounded in the material conditions of human existence, which communism seeks to transform.

   “Man is not an abstract being, squatting outside the world. Man is the world of man, the state, society.”
   (Theses on Feuerbach, 1845)

Conclusion

Marx’s concept of communism is intrinsically tied to his vision of humanism. He believed that communism would overcome the alienation of individuals, allowing humanity to achieve its full potential. His quotations and philosophical explorations highlight a profound commitment to the idea of communism as a system that liberates and dignifies human life.