The Value Of Karl Marx's Thought Of The Difference Between Manual And Mental Labor

Karl Marx' s thought of the difference between manual and mental labor is an important part of Marxism social philosophy. This thought is based on the social stratum in social development and aims at the promotion of social advance. In the light of the principle of understanding the essence and the development of mankind, Marx traced the origin and development of the difference between manual and mental labor, revealed its manifestation and consequence in capitalist society and optimistically looked ahead the all-round development of humankind under communism. All these ideas constitute Marx' s bright thought of the difference between manual and mental labor.In the turn of the centuries, the human being is undergoing a great transformation of social paradigm. By studying the social changes the modem western social philosophers put forward their own thought about the difference between manual and mental labor, which undoubtedly is a great challenge to Marx. Which is better becomes the important theoretical and practical problem. This problem attracts the researchers' concern. After a comprehensive comparison between Marx' s and the western social philosophers' thought about the difference between manual and mental labor, this essay affirms the theoretical and practical value as well as reveals the limitations of the latter. Further this essay expounds Marx' s command towards the modem western social philosophers from the perspective of historical background and thought source. In the final part, the writer explores the significant practical value of Marx' s thought of the difference between manual and mental labor.