Historical Materialism vs. Kantian Ethics: A Philosophical Showdown
Historical Materialism (Marx)
Dialectical Materialism Applied to Society
Marx adapted Hegel’s dialectics, creating dialectical materialism. Applying this to human society and life is called historical materialism, the science of society. According to Marx, the basis of social order lies in production. Humans, driven by needs, transform nature through work, a fundamental human condition.
Economic Infrastructure’s Influence
Historical materialism posits that all spiritual, ideational, and social processes depend on concrete material conditions. The economic infrastructure determines the economic structure, which in turn determines the ideational superstructure. Marx critiques historical accounts based on supernatural or natural will.
Individual Will and Economic Laws
While individuals influence history by pursuing their own ends, the result of conflicting wills isn’t determined by individual purposes. Instead, this clash of interests produces an outcome governed by hidden, dialectical economic laws.
Components of Societies
Societies are defined by their economic infrastructure and economic structure. The infrastructure, or forces of production, encompasses human work capacity, including knowledge, tools, machinery, and raw materials. The economic structure, or relations of production, organizes power over production and distribution, including property relations.
Modes of Production and Social Conflict
Each system of productive forces corresponds to a set of relations of production. As productive forces evolve, relations of production should also change. However, those benefiting from old relations often resist change, leading to dialectical clashes and social conflict, sometimes requiring revolution.
Five Modes of Production
Marx identifies five modes of production: 1. Primitive (Asian): stones, bows, and arrows; 2. Tribal (Ancient): metals and slaves; 3. Feudal (Middle Ages): loom and plow; 4. Bourgeois Capitalist (Industrial Revolution and contemporary): large industry; 5. Communist (future): a classless society resolving contradictions.
Kantian Ethics
Enlightenment and Moral Autonomy
Kant, living in the Enlightenment, believed humanity had reached maturity and needed an appropriate ethics based on moral autonomy. This means individuals must give themselves moral laws, not acting morally for reward or to avoid punishment.
Rational and Universal Morality
Enlightened morality is rational, based on reason, not tradition, feelings, or desires. Kant emphasized the equality of all humans and the universality of moral duties.
The”Goo” and Duty
Kant analyzed morality, focusing on the term “good.” He argued that only intentions can be truly good. Objects, intelligence, health, wealth, etc., are not inherently good; they can be used for good or evil. A good intention arises from acting out of duty, not inclination or self-interest.
Moral Principles
Kant’s analysis led to two moral principles: 1. Act so that the maxim of your action could become a universal law. This emphasizes universality. 2. Treat humanity, both in yourself and others, always as an end and never merely as a means. This emphasizes human dignity.
These principles, based on universality, impartiality, and human dignity, can be applied to resolve moral dilemmas.