The Dissenter

#1104 Vanessa Wills: Marx's Ethical Vision

May 30, 2025
Guest
Vanessa Wills
Vanessa Wills, Associate Professor of Philosophy at The George Washington University, dives deep into Marx's Ethical Vision. She discusses how Marx's views redefine morality and individuality, arguing that true human nature is shaped by social interactions rather than isolation. The conversation critiques neoliberalism's commodification of relationships and emphasizes the responsibilities of intellectuals in advocating for marginalized communities. Wills also highlights Marx's inclusive approach to intersectionality, analyzing labor, race, and gender dynamics within his framework.
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INSIGHT

Ideology as Class Perspective

  • Ideology is a system of ideas reflecting a class perspective, not merely illusory or ruling-class imposed.
  • Marxism itself is a proletarian ideology that provides a historical, dynamic view of human flourishing.
INSIGHT

Human Nature as Historical Product

  • Human existence is a product of historical labor and social intervention.
  • This view helps reject fatalism in issues like race, seeing them as changeable products of history.
INSIGHT

Marx's Rich Individuality Explained

  • Marx defines human nature as conscious, goal-directed labor shaping ourselves and the world.
  • Rich individuality entails diverse, creative engagement beyond rigid professional identities under capitalism.
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