Marxism is an optimistic version of atheism--clearly a form of modernism. Marxism is essentially a philosophy of history of the conflicts which inevitably occur between socio-economic classes--the "have's" versus the "have-not's." With the collapse of the Soviet Union and its eastern European bloc nations, Marxism is viewed by most as a failed project. But as an ideology, it hasn't really gone away. Marx himself probably would have predicted the collapse of the Soviet version of communism, seeing it as a stepping stone toward the ultimate, classless society. For postmodernists, Marxism is viewed primarily as another of the twentieth century's ill-conceived ideas to engineer utopia through social, political, and economic reforms. For them, Marxism was a powerful force in its day, yet an abysmally deficient attempt that simply did not work.
1. METAPHYSICS (reality) 1.1 Belief about God
Does God exist?
[+]
No
How do you describe God?
[+]
There is no God, and human religion is simply a tool used by the rich and powerful to subject people for their selfish ends. The oppressed workers are convinced by the rich (for "religious" reasons) to accept their lot--that they are not entitled to the fruits of their work, but instead will be rewarded in a mythical afterlife. "Religion is the opiate of the masses," intended to dull their sense of unfairness that they are mistreated and excluded from any rights to the wealth they have earned through their work.
Is there any kind of spirit world? [+] No
1.2 Belief about the world
Is there an overall plan or order behind nature?
[+] No, there is not any master plan being worked out. However, Marx and his collaborator Engels accepted Hegel's dialectical reasoning. A dominant idea or norm of behavior--a THESIS--is challenged by an opposing idea or norm--ANTITHESIS. Eventually, this clash gives birth to a new, third alternative--a SYNTHESIS. Engels and Marx applied this thinking to economics, in what has been called "dialectical materialism." The rich and powerful--the Bourgeois (=thesis)--manipulate and take advantage of the working class--the Proletariat (=antithesis)--until finally the workers unite in revolution. Under the new order (the new synthesis), eventually there again will be a division into rich vs. poor, BUT the rich will not be quite as rich as before, and the poor not poor as before; the gap between the two is not as large. Eventually, with enough revolutions and through the adoption of political and economic reforms, there will only be one class, where all material goods are equally shared among all, eliminating the source of human conflict.
1.3 Belief about humanity
Are human beings different from the rest of nature?
[+]Humans are the most highly evolved species on earth
Where did we come from, & where are we going?
[+] All life evolved from natural causes, and we are moving upward toward higher stages of development as we realize our potential as human beings to overcome our problems.
2. AXIOLOGY [values & ethics]
2.1 Beliefs about purpose
What is the overall purpose or meaning of humanity?
[+]To contribute to the social well-being of the collective whole.
What is the main purpose or highest good for each individual?
[+]
To promote the good of society until we reach a perfect utopian state: a classless society in which there is no room for greed or envy, because no one owns any private property. All citizens will share equally in the common wealth and good of society.
2.2 Belief about ethics
How does one decide right & wrong?
[+] "right" is what is best for society as a whole rather than individual self-interest
3. EPISTEMOLOGY [knowledge]
Is it possible for humans to know truth? [+]Yes
What are legitimate sources of truth? [+]Human reason, as guided by math, science, the study of history, and the development of technology
