Abstract

Marx's understanding of humanity's relationship to nature is discussed relatively infrequently. The purpose of this dissertation is to clarify Marx's interpretation of this relationship. ;Prior to 1844 Marx is involved in various ways with the characteristically Young Hegelian project of bringing philosophy to the world. However, his inability to bring this project to satisfactory completion eventually leads to his reconceiving it in terms of humanity's developing relationship to nature. ;I argue, however, that Marx's understanding of this latter relationship changes over the course of his writing career. For Marx in 1844 communist society differs from previous societies in part because it "is the complete unity of man with nature." In later works, though, Marx dismisses this as a trivial concern, saying that "the celebrated 'unity of man with nature' has always existed in industry." Rather than unity, Marx comes to stress rational control of nature. Marx's new view is that humanity gradually progresses from a primitive stage in which it is wholly dominated by nature until rational control is achieved in communist society. ;Humanity's domination by nature in primitive societies is, according to Marx, reflected in natural religion. By examining Marx's use of this notion in the context of his mature position our understanding of both his view of humanity's relationship to nature and part of his critique of capitalism is enriched. ;Too often discussions of changes in Marx's view restrict themselves to such concerns as distinguishing between an early and a late Marx. This dissertation should serve as a contribution to the claim that such concerns are misplaced. My examination of Marx's view of humanity's relationship to nature helps to show that Marx's development is a nuanced one, changing sometimes subtly, less often drastically, as his position evolves over the course of his lifetime