diff between modern existentialism & Marxism?

Answer 1

Existentialism is an umbrella term for a philosophy that traces its origins to Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. The primary theme of Existentialism is that the individual creates his own reality; and that reason is subordinate to emotions.

Marxism is a type of existentialism. The philosophical forefather of Marxism is G.W Hegel, but the founder was, of course, Karl Marx. Marxism uses existentialism as a philosophical base for its primary focuses: Ethics and politics. From a purely philosophical standpoint, Karl Marx is a footnote to Hegel.

The two founders of Existentialism would not have thought very highly of Marxism. Kierkegaard was a Christian, so he would have rejected Marx's atheism. Nietzsche believed in ethical individualism; and would have rejected Marx's communal system of ethics. Like most systems of neo-platonism, individual beliefs can vary wildly.

Answer 2

Marxism and Socialism really are pretty much the same thing. They describe an economic system in which the goods of everyone are pooled and shared equally for the good of all the people. Communism is a political system that is based on the economic system of Socialism. Communism works by having a powerful few that help to lead the people toward the Socialist ideal. They will take control of the goods, money, and resources and attempt to distribute them equally for everyone, in theory. The idea is that eventually the government will no longer be necessary, since everyone will be taken care of equally and there will be no need, and therefore no crime. Communists would say that they would have to maintain their power until all Capitalist or other influences were destroyed and everyone was part of the same Socialist system with equality, then the government would fade away. Economic systems like Socialism or Capitalism require some form of political system to lead them, so they will always be attached to some form of government. So, France could be a Socialist country, but it would still be a Republic. America is a Capitalist country, but it is a Democratic Constitutional Republic.

Answer 3

Short answer. Existentialism is a profoundly pragmatic world view, while Marxism is a profoundly irrational social system.

The only thing they have in common is a generic rejection of religion. But Existentialism does this because it rejects Faith. Belief in God would require some proof. Marx rejects religion because he thinks it's a plot of oppression. I.e. Existentialism is rational, Marxism is paranoid.

The core of Existentialism is that existence proceeds essence. A thing is what it is rather than being a reflection of some unseen celestial form. Seeing is believing might be considered a theme of existentialism. Skepticism and to some degree science are forms of existentialism.

The core of Marxism is "From each according to their ability, to each according their need." I.e. Group interest trumps Self interest. Marx never quite grasped that group interest arises from self interest. He saw self interest as the problem. So any economic system driven by self interest, such as Capitalism, was also a problem. Any system of social stabilization, such as religion, was also a problem since it allows people to tolerate the evil of Capitalism.

Answer 4

Existentialism posits that individual human beings create the meanings of their own lives.

In Marxism, the government creates the meaning of your life for you.