Alienation and its Types

Alienation and its Types

You might find yourself feeling alienated at times, and wondering if it's just in your head. The answer, according to Karl Marx, might be no - there are four different types of alienation. In this article, we take a closer look at the theory proposed by Marx on the four forms of impacts that can lead to alienation, and what they might mean for you personally. Many people are familiar with the work of Karl Marx, but fewer are aware of his theories on alienation. In a nutshell, alienation (German: Entfremdung) is the process by which workers are disconnected from the very aspects of human nature (Gattungswesen, 'species-essence'). Marx defines "work" as the "extension of being" and the essence of being; that is, species-essence. What one does defines them! A worker cherishes when his art is appreciated and feels valued when his labour is valued and his product demanded. The work connects the worker to the peers and society at large and finds fulfilment in …