the materialist

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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