The Poverty of Philosophy
Encyclopedia
Misère de la philosophie, German title Das Elend der Philosophie, English title The Poverty of Philosophy, is a book by Karl Marx
published in Paris
and Brussels
in 1847, where he lived in exile in 1843-1849. It was originally written in French
, though Marx wrote most of his works in German
.
In it, Marx criticizes the economic
and philosophical
arguments of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
set forth in The System of Economic Contradictions, or The Philosophy of Poverty
. Marx specifically accuses Proudhon of wanting to rise above the bourgeoisie
. In the history of Marx's thought and marxism
, this work is pivotal in the distinction between the concepts of utopian socialism
and what Marx and the marxists claim as scientific socialism
.
in a 2001 song by the same title; he uses it similarly, to criticize the economy and society.
Karl Marx
Karl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement...
published in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
in 1847, where he lived in exile in 1843-1849. It was originally written in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, though Marx wrote most of his works in German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
.
In it, Marx criticizes the economic
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and philosophical
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
arguments of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon was a French politician, mutualist philosopher and socialist. He was a member of the French Parliament, and he was the first person to call himself an "anarchist". He is considered among the most influential theorists and organisers of anarchism...
set forth in The System of Economic Contradictions, or The Philosophy of Poverty
The System of Economic Contradictions, or The Philosophy of Poverty
The System of Economic Contradictions, or Philosophy of Poverty is a work published in 1847 by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. It inspired Karl Marx to write his rejoinder The Poverty of Philosophy.-External links:*...
. Marx specifically accuses Proudhon of wanting to rise above the bourgeoisie
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
. In the history of Marx's thought and marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
, this work is pivotal in the distinction between the concepts of utopian socialism
Utopian socialism
Utopian socialism is a term used to define the first currents of modern socialist thought as exemplified by the work of Saint-Simon, Charles Fourier, and Robert Owen which inspired Karl Marx and other early socialists and were looked on favorably...
and what Marx and the marxists claim as scientific socialism
Scientific Socialism
Scientific socialism is the term used by Friedrich Engels to describe the social-political-economic theory first pioneered by Karl Marx. The purported reason why this socialism is "scientific socialism" is because its theories are held to an empirical standard, observations are essential to its...
.
In popular culture
The book is also referenced by rapper Immortal TechniqueImmortal Technique
Felipe Andres Coronel , better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is an American rapper of Afro-Peruvian descent as well as an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics...
in a 2001 song by the same title; he uses it similarly, to criticize the economy and society.
External links
- Misère de la philosophie French text
- Das Elend der Philosophie German text
- The Poverty of Philosophy English text