Alfred Sohn-Rethel

Alfred Sohn-Rethel (1899-1990) was a German philosopher and economist known for his work linking Marxist theory with epistemology, the study of knowledge. He proposed that human thought processes are shaped by social and economic conditions, especially in capitalist societies. Sohn-Rethel argued that abstract concepts arise from practical activities, particularly through the use of money and commodities. His ideas emphasize the relationship between economic systems and the way people understand and interpret the world, advocating for a critical view of how knowledge is influenced by material conditions. He is notable for his contributions to the philosophy of Marxism and the critique of capitalism.