Marxism, Human Nature and Need

Abstract

In the last chapter, we saw that Marx provides a conception of human nature that posits a standard of need-satisfaction for humans to aspire towards. In his later writings on historical materialism, this conception is framed within an empirical account of the development of society and its economic infrastructure. This account posits the material means of production that under certain conditions impede human development, but that under others support its fulfilment. Throughout his work, Marx examines two notions of need: minimum basic needs which the owners of production meet through systems of wage-labour and welfare so that workers can reproduce their labour power; and truly ‘human needs’.