This course constitutes a survey of the major writings of Karl Marx, in light of the influence of previous philosophers, and with attention to more recent controversies about his ideas and influence. Particular attention will be paid to Marx’s early philosophical writings (most of them unpublished); his draft for the Communist Manifesto, the German Ideology (as well as the Manifesto itself); his draft for Capital, the Grundrisse; and at least the first volume of Capital. There will be less (though some) consideration of his more occasional political writings.

The influence on Marx of Hegel & Feuerbach, &, to a lesser degree, of Aristotle & Kant, will be considered. In particular, the relative importance of Marx’s concepts of dialectics, materialism, human agency, and critical theory will be weighed. Finally, some significant controversies about his philosophy will be studied, in particular, those about the role of ethics, justice, and value in his work, the relation between his concepts of nature, history, and production, & different interpretations of his notion of human emancipation or liberation (& its political consequences).

Readings: Marx, Capital, Vol. 1 (Penguin); McLellan (ed.), Karl Marx: Selected Writings (Oxford)

Prerequisite: 2 courses in philosophy; recommended: PHIL 218. This course satisfies the major philosopher requirement for Philosophy & Philosophy, Politics, & Society majors.