Marx, Engels and Aristotle

The purpose of this research is to examine the contributions of Marx and Engels on one hand and Aristotle on the other with regard to the nature of morality. The research will set forth the discourse context for the issue and then discuss how the two approaches to analyzing morality coincide and how they differ, with a view toward identifying and evaluating the significance and influence of these commentators on the discourse of morality.

At first glance it seems that Aristotle and Marx can have very little in common philosophically because Aristotle seems to have been directly involved in the higher social circles of Greece, while Marx existed on the fringe of European society. Yet from their writings it is obvious that in one important way they definitely have similar interests because they are both very interested in making political commentary. Marx's various texts point in the direction of making sure of effective and radical revolution, and Aristotle devotes one entire book to the subject of politics. However, the focus of each philosopher is different, and the difference in focus affects the way in which each makes use of references to morality.

Aristotle's focus is on the instruction of the future leaders of society--specifically, young men. He makes reference to the need that young men have for such instruction (Ethics 310), making the point that without a foundation in ethics, a young man is not equipped to understand politics. Similarly, he cautions that skilled

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t of the knowledge acquired by study of the virtues (especially according to the principles of the practical science of ethics). Additionally, it requires more knowledge of how to make laws all on its own, which means it requires the study of politics more specifically (Ethics 541). It is probably no accident, then, that Aristotle's Politics follows the Ethics. The Ethics has been progressing to the point where the Politics must take over. The Ethics provides a progressively more dense study of virtue and morality and their relevance to the state. The Politics then starts providing knowledge about the state itself. Knowledge of ethics enables the virtuous, educated member of the city-state to evaluate situations that require a moral decision, all with the ultimate objective of doing what is good for the political collection of individuals. It is important to note that Aristotle describes the morality of ethical action in terms of knowledge. Indeed, Aristotle sets forth three conditions, all of which must be met, before an action can be considered moral. The first condition of the virtuous man (and act) is that the individual must "know" or "have knowledge." For an action to be truly moral, it must be informed by someone who is a

Category: Philosophy - M