Marx's Reading of Adam Ferguson and the Idea of Progress

Karl Marx misappropriated Ferguson's thought even though he championed the Scot's remarks on the division of labor. The argument is developed by examining Marx's specific quotations of Ferguson in literary context and by critiquing Marx's quotations in light of three ethical cate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of Scottish philosophy Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 167 - 190
Main Author Hill, Jack A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published UK Edinburgh University Press 01.09.2013
Subjects
Ethics
Ferguson, Adam (1723-1816)
Good & evil
Marx, Karl (1818-1883)
Morality
Philosophy
Philosophy and Religion
Workforce
society
Adam Ferguson
self
division of labor
moral philosophy
savage
ethics
Karl Marx
good
idea of progress
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Summary:Karl Marx misappropriated Ferguson's thought even though he championed the Scot's remarks on the division of labor. The argument is developed by examining Marx's specific quotations of Ferguson in literary context and by critiquing Marx's quotations in light of three ethical categories that are implicit in Ferguson's idea of progress. Marx not only presents a highly selective reading of Ferguson and espouses a view of history that is antithetical to Ferguson's idea of progress, but he fails to do justice to the complexity of Ferguson's moral philosophy, even if he viewed the Scot as something of a maverick like himself.
ISSN:1479-6651
1755-2001
DOI:10.3366/jsp.2013.0055