The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844

The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, written by Karl Marx, explore how capitalism affects workers’ lives and their sense of fulfillment. Marx critiques the way capitalism treats labor as a commodity, leading to alienation—workers feel disconnected from their work, themselves, and others. He argues that this economic system fosters inequality and hampers human potential. Marx’s insights combine economic analysis with philosophy, emphasizing that true freedom and human development require transforming the economic system to prioritize human needs over profit. These manuscripts lay the groundwork for Marx’s later ideas on socialism and revolutionary change.