Karl Marx is regarded as one of the greatest thinkers who redefined how humanity regards certain issues. Culture is one of the many issues that benefited from Marx’s input. In his exploration of culture, Marx sought to link it to inequality. He argued that culture was a construct that promoted inequality and classism (“Culture in Classical”, n.d). Marx also linked culture to how economies function. He argued that the different elements of culture work together to sustain capitalism. This essay explores the issue of culture. Among other things, the essay defines culture and examines some of the arguments that Marx put forward on the question of culture.
The term culture can be assigned different definitions. One of the definitions that have been offered for this term is that it refers to the way of life that a certain group of people has adopted (Jackson, 2009). Culture incorporates traditions and practices that define a given human group. Culture can also be defined as a process through which individuals develop beliefs and become part of communities. Essentially, culture cultivates individuals so that they are able to fit within certain social settings. Culture may also be defined as the arts. It is the ultimate result of the process of cultivation through which individuals are readied for participation in communal life (Jackson, 2009). These definitions are not exhaustive and the term culture can be assigned other meanings depending on the situation and context.
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As noted above, Karl Marx offered insights on the issue of culture. He particularly shed light on the processes that are involved in the creation of culture by humans. Marx argues that materialism and capitalism are the primary forces that ultimately determine the nature of the cultures created by communities (“Culture in Classical”, n.d). Marx held that all cultures are centered around a capitalist system that is controlled by the bourgeoisie. This is a group of individuals who make up the highest social class and control the factors of production. They exploit culture to further their ends and to earn legitimacy for their authority. The following statement that is attributed to Marx captures his thoughts on the forms of culture that humans create: “Your very ideas are but the outgrowth of the conditions of your bourgeois production and bourgeois property” (“Marxist Origins of Communism”, n.d). This statement suggests that capitalism and the bourgeoisie ultimately determine the cultures created.
Apart from culture, Marx also shared his thoughts on human consciousness. On this issue, Marx argued that the being of individuals is not determined by their consciousness. Instead, it is the consciousness that determines social being (“The Problem of Consciousness”, n.d). In arriving at this argument, Marx made one key assumption. He assumed that human nature was not eternal or fixed (“Karl Marx and Humanity”, n.d). This assumption allowed Marx to hold that social being is determined by consciousness. Were it that Marx assumed that human nature is fixed, his argument about the role that consciousness plays in shaping the social being would not stand. It would be impossible for a nature that is fixed and eternal to be shaped by anything, let alone consciousness.
Marx also answered the question of the source of the beliefs that are found in culture. Marx appears to suggest that the ruling elite who own capital are the primary sources of beliefs in a culture. He went as far as describing religion as a tool that the bourgeoisie continues to use against the proletariat. That religion is the opium of the poor is perhaps the most popular statement for which Marx is remembered. This statement essentially suggests that values, beliefs and practices in any culture are constructed by the owners of capital in furtherance of their own agenda. Marx argued further that societies make it difficult for individuals to gain awareness. This further indicates that Marx believed that the bourgeoisie controlled the beliefs in cultures.
In his critique of religion and capitalism, Marx argued that strife and alienation are the result of the metaphysics and blind religious faithfulness. Marx held that in cultures that were shaped by religion, men sought to worship some higher power that offers some form of satisfaction. He argued further that capitalism which has its roots in religion, causes man to pursue material possessions at the expense of his relationship with fellow man. The ultimate result is a culture which is made up of classes with each class pursuing competing interests. The bourgeoisie pursues and worships money while the laborers strive for sustenance. This creates alienation where individuals are separated from their human selves. They are reduced to components of an economic system whose only purpose is to facilitate production.
Today, the world is deeply divided. There are a number of roles that natural and social sciences can play to bridge gaps and eliminate the classes that cause divisions. Those who serve in these sciences need to begin by combining their efforts (Lowe, Phillipson & Wilkinson, 2013). Social and human scientists need to work together to address some of the issues that cause divisions and give rise to social classes. The other role that social and human sciences can play in promoting unity is tackling inequality. As Marx made it clear, inequality is the key driver of social classes. By addressing such issues as unemployment and uneven distribution of wealth, the sciences can help to create a world that is more equal and eliminate the social classes.
There are a number of strengths that Marx’s theory possesses. One of the key strengths is that it addresses real issues that societies grapple with. For instance, Marx shed light on the injustice that the proletariat suffers in the hands of the owners of capital (“Culture in Classical”, n.d). Across the globe, millions of people work for very low wages in the service of those who own capital. The main weakness of his theory is that Marx dismisses certain institutions that are central to communal life. For instance, he describes religion as an institution that blinds the poor and keeps them from recognizing their situation (“Culture in Classical”, n.d). While there is some truth in this statement, it does not recognize the important role that religion and faith play in creating unity and enhancing communal ties.
Karl Marx brought up arguments that shed light on the desire for humans to obtain freedom. This desire for freedom can be traced to the dissatisfaction with the prevailing state of affairs. Marx argued that individuals act as their own creators (“Karl Marx and Humanity”, n.d). They frame their own situations so as to achieve certain goals. This is the essence of freedom. They rely on institutions, rules and protocols that have been established to shape their lives. The arguments that Marx raised bring up the question of the relationship between an individual and culture. His arguments answer the question of whether an individual is shaped by culture or culture shapes the individual. The argument that makes more sense is that individuals are shaped by their culture. The argument that individuals are shaped by their cultures makes more sense. This is because people are born into cultures that they do not get to choose. It would therefore be very difficult, if not impossible, for an individual to introduce changes to a way of life that they were born into. Additionally, to shape a culture, one would need to change the views of others who share a similar culture. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for one individual to single-handedly shape their culture.
In conclusion, the ideas of Marx continue to shape modern discussions on a wide range of issues. Thanks to these ideas, individuals can now develop more enlightened positions regarding the ills of religion and capitalism. His theory in which he explored the injustices that characterize capitalism particularly shed light on the present situation where capitalistic societies are emerging. While these societies have been able to address such challenges as poverty, they have created new problems like inequality and social classism. To address these problems, there is need to borrow from Marx’s theory and implement measures that will deliver economic equality.
References
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Karl Marx and Humanity. (n.d). Retrieved 14 th November 2016 from
https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/smith-cyril/works/millenni/smith3.htm
Jackson, W. A. (2009). Economies, Culture and Social Theory. Edward Edgar Publishing.
Lowe, P., Phillipson, J., & Wilkinson, K. (2013). Why Social Scientists Should Engage with
Natural Scientists. Journal of the Academy of Social Sciences, 8 (3). DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2013.769617
Marxist Origins of Communism, I. (n.d). Retrieved 14 th November 2016 from
http://econfaculty.gmu.edu/bcaplan/museum/marx1.htm
The Problem of Consciousness, Social Structure and the Use of Force. (n.d). Retrieved 14 th
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