Karl Marx Basically Categorizes Two Different Types

Karl Marx basically categorizes two different types forces. The material forces and the mental forces. In effect there is always a balance between the two in that the expression of one is defined and controlled by the other. In Society there is this never ending conflict between the dual forces wherein each one seeks to overpower the other by its dominance. (When mental forces dominate it is reflected as a revolution).

According to Marx, our consciousness and our perception of life is influenced by the social setup or the circumstances and not the other way round. Furthermore Marx opines that, men who are in control of the material productive forces (dominant class of people) also exercise control over the collective mental productive forces of the ordinary people. (Laborers).

Though there is a certain degree of truth in this argument in that in most cases people are guided and subjugated (their mental development and expression controlled) by their superiors, it cannot be agreed to be totally conclusive. How then could we explain the revolutionary thoughts of people who do not enjoy the command over material productive forces. So in these cases it has to be admitted that the unfolding of the mental productive forces does not always depend on the material forces.

If such was the case there would have been no revolt in the whole history of mankind. Marx tries to explain the revolutions by introducing the idea that each era is characterized by the domination of particular concepts. (For example loyalty was a dominant quality during aristocratic era). He further opines that 'revolutionary ideas presuppose revolutionary class'. This makes it clear that mental productions are not totally bound by material productions. (Revolutionary thoughts preceded revolutionary class).

When we trace this argument to its origin we arrive at the logical conclusion that revolutionary ideas had their origin in the aristocratic era. Marx basic philosophy is that all the changes and the conflicts that arise out of the changes result in a physical outcome in the form of a revolution. In the article Marx expresses his strong anti-capitalist opinion by his concept of alienation.

He says that capitalism will confine the worker to mere material force and will result in the total subjugation of the mental development and expression (mental force) and hence he calls for a total abolition of the 'division of labor'. Marx views of the capitalist society and his ideas of alienation.