Philosophy 118: 07 January, 2009

These notes were taken from my class with Dr. Reyes for Philosophy 118 last 07 January

.:More On The False Consciousness:.

In a sense, this is a “reality” that is not really real. As such, Marx was one of the three masters of suspicion: along with Nietzsche and Freud. This false consciousness is especially prevalent in society, as it has learned to tolerate many injustices that exist in the world.

.:More On Alienation:.

From generation gap to other types of dehumanization, alienation becomes systematized in the industrial age.

.:More On History:.

It was only in contemporary philosophy that historicity became a factor. Prior to this, there is a prevailing belief that Being is once-and-for-all. Once you have grasped Being, you subsequently grasp the reality. But Marx saw this was not the case. Reality is not static: what is the reality for the caveman progresses into what is the reality for the modern man.

.:More On Praxis:.

You cannot have action that is free of thought. Thought without action is, on the other hand, useless. As such, only in developing thinking can a course of action likewise develop. As such, there is an imperfect grasp on “truth”, as it is only a truth that is appropriated and appropriate at the particular moment. Some theologians echo this belief by calling a person to action based on what God would need from you at the time.

.:The Role Of The Proletariat:.

The proletariat stand for a new low in human existence, as far as poverty and exploitation are concerned. Capitalism is the only point in history where this was made possible. The proletariat is treated as a commodity, no longer as a human person. As the worker is brutalized, does this extreme suffering lead to a new consciousness? For Marx, it produces a purified vision of what man is for the proletariat. Furthermore, they see what the end of history should strive towards.

.:The Classless Society:.

For Marx, classes are formed solely because of property. Because you come from a class, the insidiousness of classes is that your very humanity itself is affected. That you have gone to a cheap public school all your life already dictates how you and other people look at you and on your very humanity itself.

As such, Marx believes in communal ownership instead. In Marx's classless society, furthermore, there is no need for the state. This community would be completely voluntary, but there would be no need for personal ownership, since one gets whatever they need, and one works according to their talents.

.:Quotable Quotes:.

“During 1972, there were leftist students and faculty, and at times, some students would picket certain classes, choosing mainly American Jesuits.”

- Dr. Reyes