Sociology Plus
Critical Marxism Definition
Critical Marxism is a philosophical variant of classical Marxism that shifts focus from purely economic determinism to an investigation of how human history is shaped by the latent potential and actions of individuals. This approach adopts a distinctly humanistic perspective, paying close attention to the roles and experiences of individuals within social classes, thereby privileging individual agency in the trajectory of historical development rather than solely focusing on material or class structures.
Key Characteristics
This school distinguishes itself from other forms of Marxism by foregrounding the subjective experience and the capacity of individuals to act as primary drivers in the sweep of history. It seeks to uncover the ways in which human potential is realised, moving beyond deterministic interpretations of historical forces.
Key Thinkers
The critical tradition is most closely associated with thinkers such as Antonio Gramsci, Jean-Paul Sartre, and the intellectual currents of the Frankfurt School.