Redefining Alienation: A Critical Analysis of Marx's Later Works and its Relevance to Contemporary Capitalist Societies

Abstract

The concept of alienation within Marxist philosophy has been both influential and subject to ambiguity and controversy. This study offers a fresh perspective by examining alienation in Marx's later works. Marxist alienation is argued to be an objective phenomenon that results from turning productive outcomes into capital, as opposed to being perceived as a subjective experience or an innate feature of social structure. This interpretation addresses key theoretical concerns related to alienation theory, such as essentialism and moral paternalism. It also provides a comprehensive framework for understanding contemporary capitalist societies, where increased social power and interdependence coexist with heightened feelings of helplessness and loneliness.