Blog Post 2 (The Skeptics to The Utilitarian, and Your Life)
After reading Chapter 13 of "Archetypes of Wisdom," I came to learn more about Karl Marx and his opinion on capitalism, and how he felt alienation was the most destructive feature of capitalism, according to Chapter 13-4. Once I learned about what he believed alienation to be, I found that I actually agree with it. But the question is, why do I agree with this view?
It would be best to clarify what alienation is in his eyes. "Alienation occurs when the worker no longer feels at one with the product of his or her labor. An alienated individual rarely feels at home with himself or herself, or with others," (Soccio 13-4). I first thought the answer to my question would originate from within myself only because not too long ago, I was working at a shoe store. This was my first job so I didn't know what to expect of it. However, the longer I worked there, the more I dreaded going to work. Going to work brought out such a negative side of me that I didn't know I had. The difference is that I actually enjoyed what my job required me to do. It was the people that I had to work with that made me feel miserable. In short, I didn't feel at home there, or with the people there. Which is why in this case, even though I feel I can relate to it in my own way, I don't think I'm the best example of alienation that I can think of,
On the other hand, I thought about my sister, who has admitted that she wants to change her career. She's a dental assistant, receives decent pay, and is actually very good at what she does. But she says she would much rather do something she enjoys. Even though she isn't thinking about changing her job because of the pay, another point mentioned about alienation in Chapter 13-4, she is still considering it for her happiness. "Alienation is a state of powerlessness, frustration, repressed resentment, and despair," (Soccio 13-4). Someone who comes home ranting and venting about their job and coworkers everyday (something that my sister does), sounds like they could possibly be alienated as well.
In the end, I think I agree with his stance because I believe we all experience alienation in some type of way. There are numerous amounts of people who want to stick to things that make them happy. There are a ton of people who want to stay true to themselves and would much rather live in poverty than work for only money. I'd like to meet the person who claims to be content with them self while only working for money. Chances are they haven't come to the realization that they just might be alienated too. This is something that is also stated in Chapter 13-4a, "Alienated life creates a sense of distance from nature and renders people unconscious of precisely how unhappy, unspontaneous, and unfulfilled they really are."
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