On The Principle Of Self Consciousness In Marx’s Doctoral Dissertation

In Marx’s doctoral dissertation, he had compared Democritus’ philosophy of nature with Epicurus’. The key difference lies on the atomic theory. By comparison, Marx thought Epicurus’ atomic theory to be more advanced, far more advanced than Democritus’. Marx thought it had provided the logical possibility for freedom and liberation. As a matter of fact, by that time Marx had not acquired the weapon of dialectical materialism. He could not elaborate this phenomenon from a scientific point of view. With the mere impulse of romantism, he confirmed the advanced value of the principle of self consciousness. By coincidence, this slight emotional starting point led to his lifelong-pursuing rational destination-the liberation of man. Because of this, the principle of self consciousness in Marx’s doctoral dissertation has a significance of being both the seed and the fruit.In the preface of this essay, the author elaborates the reason and meaning of choosing Marx’s doctoral dissertation to be the theme of this thesis. Also, the author summarizes a few influential research works done based on the principle of self consciousness. In chapter one, the author focuses on the writing background of Marx’s doctoral dissertation. It includes the growing experience of young Marx and the real state of Germany in the19th century. The author makes a historical review and rearrangement on the philosophy of self consciousness, emphasizing the impact of classic traditions on Marx’s doctoral dissertation. In chapter two, the author mainly describes the principle of self consciousness in Marx’s doctoral dissertation. By comparing Democritus’ atomic theory with Epicurus’, Marx showed his appeal for self consciousness, his transcendence beyond subjective principle, his confirmation on activity, his praise on individual freedom, his urgent need to criticize religions, his ambiguous feelings on Hegel’s philosophy, and his deep thoughts on the conflict between ideal and reality. Exposed to the temptation of romantism, young Marx was not able to resist the pleasure brought by the penetration of everything by self consciousness. Young Marx showed both his traditional side and his rebellious side by "remembering past times" and "returning home". In chapter three, the author does an expansionary research on the principle of self consciousness in Marx’s doctoral dissertation. This principle is an active awareness and ability to get rid of the gods both in heaven and on earth. The ultimate goal of this principle is to achieve freedom. Marx’s self consciousness emphasizes the completeness of both pursuing perception and experienced individuality in the contact with this world. This is different from the abstract individuality of the Young Hegelians. It has a practical meaning. In the ending part, the author reviews Marx’s doctoral dissertation seeing Marx as a man of true feelings, and confirms the significance of the principle of self consciousness in Marx’s doctoral dissertation.Marx’s doctoral dissertation was the philosophical expression of his mixed emotions. It was also his arrangement and coordination between society, career, love, honor and ideal. The principle of self consciousness is Marx’s way out from these conflicts. However, after a series of research, Marx got a different understanding from those of the Young Hegelians. This understanding was not paid much attention to by Marx by then, but this new discovery became the first step to the founding of Marxist philosophy. It was the logical starting point of Marx’s pursuing of "the innocence of reason" and the freedom of man.