Marx e o determinismo (1840-1846)

Abstract

This study investigates the problem of determinism in Marx's thought, focusing on some of his works written between 1840 and 1846. The theory Marx develops is often understood or defined as a rigid, strict determinism, i.e. a philosophy of the meaning of history. In our opinion Marx's philosophy could not be seen as rigid determinism nor as philosophy of history, because it is basically founded on the auto-creation process realized by human people – a process based on material human relationships. A reason to hold such view is that history is nothing more then a simple “succession of generations” as Marx said. Consequently history does not have a meaning by its self, and it has no meanings besides those that human people give it across their developing stages. According to Marx, history is not constituted by “unique variations” but it results from variations based on various possibilities that are intrinsic to the processes of human activity. For this reason the foundation of history must be encountered in the human material relationships and way of production. Such relationships and way of production are realized by a process that is not closed in its self, but follows the natural dynamics of human activity. Even if that process exhibits a progressive character it does not turn into a rigid historical determinism in which all the new historical results are already written in the “holy book of history”. For that reason we believe that Marx's theory of history offers a view that does not promise any salvation but shows an uncertain becoming, i.e. it shows that there is not a reason governing history. Finally, we think that Marx's thought is much closer to a critical theory of social struggle and world changing rathher than a doctrinal system.