Do you agree with Karl Marx when he realizes that the
material conditions of life do control reality?
Yes, I do agree. I think our material condition really
does control reality. I think that as a society, unfortunately we are fueled by
material possessions. The more we have, in terms of things, the more we think
we will be happy. We base our happiness and fulfillment of life on what we have
because what we have demonstrates our financial status and determines social
relationships. People group together with their social and economic order. The
divide Marx distinguished is between the class that were owners and governed
and the exploited working class. In the Manifesto, Marx asserts
that “man’s ideas, views and conceptions, in one word, man’s consciousness,
changes with every change in the conditions of his material existence, his
social relations, and his social life.” (1959,
p. 341). I find that I too am essentially motivated by materialism. I want to
enjoy the finer things in life. I go to school for of course an education, I
truly do enjoy learning, but the intention is not just expanding my knowledge.
Like many other students that go to college, I want to earn a degree and get a
good job. I want a job that pays more so I can afford things that are more
expensive, even if they are unnecessary and not actually needed. I have been
conditioned by our capitalistic and materialistic society to think that I not
only should have these things to “fit in” where I want to be, but that I also
need them to be happy. I come from a family that could give me what was necessary
to live and be happy. There is no excess wealth to fund this education that I
have been told I needed from a young age. To afford college, I have taken out
student loans. Once I graduate, I will have this better paying job I was
conditioned to need with hefty loan payments. So sure, I’ll be earning a little
more cash, but in exchange I’ll have more to pay for. This vicious cycle is
difficult to break.
I am lucky to not have lived in
poverty, but in theory, couldn’t this scenario be considered willing economic
exploitation? Marx calls this co-option. It occurs when workers
identify with the economic system that oppresses them by confusing the
possibility of gaining wealth with their actual living and working situation.
We are taught from a young age to go to college, to have a career, to fulfill
our duty of contributing to our society. I feel as if I am obligated to do so.
I am supposed to want this for myself, right? The more money I owe these large
loan companies, the more power and control I give them over my life. Am I just
helping the rich get richer? There is a great chance I have been lured by the
greener grass on the other side to voluntarily sign my life away for endless
loan payments with little to show for it. We must make ourselves aware. Marx
says we are the happiest when we engage in personally meaningful work, whatever
that may be. We shouldn’t need money and material possessions to live a full
life.
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