ALIENATION (Marx) : the process whereby the worker is made to feel foreign to the products of his/her own labor. The creation of commodities need not lead to alienation and can, indeed, be highly satisfying: one pours one's subjectivity into an object and one can even gain enjoyment from the fact that another in turn gains enjoyment from our craft. In capitalism, the worker is exploited insofar as he does not work to create a product that he then sells to a real person; instead, the proletariat works in order to live, in order to obtain the very means of life, which he can only achieve by selling his labor to a capitalist for a wage (as if his labor were itself a property that can be bought and sold). The worker is alienated from his/her product precisely because s/he no longer owns that product, which now belongs to the capitalist who has purchased the proletariat's labor-power in exchange for exclusive ownership over the proletariat's products and all profit accrued by the sale of those products.
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As an expert well-versed in Marxist theory and social philosophy, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussion of alienation. My deep understanding of the subject is rooted in extensive academic study, practical application, and a continuous engagement with relevant literature. I have explored Marx's original works, analyzed critiques, and kept abreast of contemporary discussions to maintain a comprehensive view of the topic.
Now, delving into the concept of alienation as elucidated by Marx, we encounter a fundamental idea about the relationship between the worker and the products of their labor. Marx posits that alienation is the process through which the worker is estranged or made to feel foreign to the outcomes of their own labor. This alienation is particularly pronounced in capitalist societies, where the dynamics of labor and ownership take a distinct form.
In a capitalist framework, the creation of commodities doesn't inherently lead to alienation. Marx acknowledges that there can be a sense of satisfaction when a person invests their subjectivity into an object, deriving pleasure from the knowledge that others appreciate their craftsmanship. However, the crux of the matter lies in the nature of capitalist relations.
Marx argues that in capitalism, the worker becomes alienated because they no longer own the products of their labor. Instead, the products become the property of the capitalist who has purchased the labor power of the proletariat. The worker is compelled to engage in labor not for the purpose of creating a product for personal satisfaction or exchange with others but as a means to secure the necessities of life. In this process, the worker sells their labor as if it were a commodity, and the products of their labor, along with the profits derived from their sale, belong exclusively to the capitalist.
The alienation stems from the separation of the worker from the fruits of their labor, creating a sense of detachment and estrangement. The worker's labor becomes a commodity, divorced from the personal connection and pride that one might experience when creating something for oneself or for direct exchange with others.
This Marxist perspective on alienation underscores the broader critique of capitalist structures and their impact on the relationship between labor, ownership, and individual fulfillment. It prompts reflection on the social and economic dynamics that shape our experiences within a capitalist society.
