Essence and Alienation: Marx's Theory of Human Nature∗.

Marx's theory of human nature has been frequently misinterpreted. Theorists argue that Marx saw human nature as fluid. Other theorists fail to see human nature's necessary connection to Marx's theory of alienation. The validity of Marx's theory of human nature, and alienation, are contingent upon a mutual acceptance. One cannot fully defend Marx's theory of alienation without accepting his theory of human nature, and vice versa. This necessary interconnection emerges from examination of Marx's trans-historical views on human nature, when compared critically with mainstream theories of Marxian human nature. The key to understanding Marx's theory of human nature entails a distinction between essence and essentialism, and their connection to a theory of expression. Marx is an essentialist in regard to human nature, but sees human essence as an ensemble of socio-historical relations. These particular relations shape human nature's expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]