Introduction
Great philosophical thinkers like Rene Descartes and Karl Marx made significant contributions to the modern knowledge, especially philosophy. The massive philosophical Knowledge we have today is based on theories and hypotheses derived from some of their great works. Rene Descartes was a seventeenth century French Philosopher and a scientist who did not only contribute to philosophy but also mathematics and physics. He is the father of modern philosophy because of his significant contribution in the field of philosophy.
Karl Marx was a nineteenth century German philosopher and a social scientist who contributed greatly to the modern social science. Although their great works are credible, they received immense criticism during the course of history. I have seen that Rene Descartes contribution in philosophy and natural science stood the test of time; therefore, he became a hero’ on the other hand, Karl Marx’s contribution in social science did not stand the test of time. Hence, he became an anti-hero.
Comparison
Both Rene Descartes and Karl Marx employed their philosophical knowledge in formulating their theories. They used their philosophical knowledge to solve the problems they encountered during their times. Rene Descartes in his time as a scientist, as well a philosopher, developed mathematical formulae and proved the existence of God using metaphysics approach. “In his metaphysics, he provided an argument for the existence of God” (Rodis-Lewis, 1999, p.102).
I have understood that anything that is doubted is real because matter and reality are inseparable; therefore, if I doubt the existence of God, then He exists. On the other hand, Karl Marx directed his philosophical knowledge in exploring politics and economics. According to Megill, “fundamentally, Marx assumed that human nature involves transforming material nature” (2002, p. 223). Ian perceive that he passionately believed in materialism because he formulated an economic ideology of Marxism that led to communism revolution.
Another similarity of Rene Descartes and Karl Marx is their family background. Their fathers were both lawyers, and I think they received similar upbringing that molded their lives to become great philosophers. Also in terms of religion, both were Christians, athe lthough they received criticisms that they had incorporated atheistic beliefs into their philosophical theories. I believe that these criticisms are true for “Descartes entered the newly founded Jesuit College of La Fleche” (Rodis-Lewis, 1999, p. 304).
He learned under Jesuits’ curriculum and it’s worth noting that Jesuits are an atheistic secret society and they must have influenced his Christian beliefs.
Blaise Pascal further accused, him by saying that, “I cannot forgive Descartes; in all his philosophy, Descartes did his best to dispense with God, but Descartes could not avoid prodding God to set the world in motion with a snap of his lordly fingers; after that, he had no more use for God” (Rodis-Lewis, 1999, p. 162). Although he was a professed Christian, his philosophical beliefs in meditation were associated with atheistic beliefs.
Likewise, Karl Marx was influenced by Hegel’s atheistic beliefs as “they made use of Hegel’s dialectical method as a powerful weapon for the critique of established politics and religion” (Megill, 2002, p.180). In the socialism and communism revolution, Hegelian tactics were used to mobilize workers to wage war against capitalism. I think these philosophers harbored both Christian and atheistic beliefs, for the atheists used them to propagate their ideologies in shaping society.
Contrast
I can read from their historical background that Rene Descartes and Karl Marx were not contemporary philosophers as they lived a century a part. This historical difference led them to differ in their philosophical ideologies and perception of life. Rene Descartes focused his philosophical knowledge towards physics and mathematical discoveries. Modern mathematics like calculus, analytical geometry, Cartesian coordinate system, laws of reflection and momentum originated from him.
His works still form the basis of current scientific inventions and applications. “Descartes’ theory provided the basis for the calculus of Newton and Leibniz by applying infinitesimal calculus to the tangent line problem, thus permitting the evolution of that branch of modern mathematics” (Gullberg, 1997, p. 4). Descartes left enormous scientific legacy that I still apply today and thus he passes for a philosophical hero.
Karl Marx focused his philosophical knowledge of economic and social science. Using historical experiences, he described the society history saying that, “the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles” (Megill, 2002, p. 50).
I understand that he wanted to eliminate economic system of capitalism and replace it with communism for he argued that, “capitalism like previous socioeconomic systems, would inevitably produce internal tensions which would lead to its destruction” (Baird, 2008, p. 89). With this perception on capitalism, he formulated the ideology of communism that later become Marxism.
After his death, the ideology of Marxism intensified workers’ movement as a way to weaken capitalism but it failed. Karl Marx passes for an anti-hero because “…he did not hold to the materialistic conception of history thinking that it had adequate justification but held it because the circumstances were consistent with his deepest philosophical commitments” (Megill, 2002, p. 337). His ideologies of socialism, communism, and Marxism did not stand the test of time hence making him an anti-hero.
Conclusion
I concur that Rene Descartes and Karl Marx were both great philosophers who made a great contribution to society during their time and by extension, up to this modern world. My analysis shows that their differences result from the impact of their ideologies on the current society and as to whether they did stand the test of time. What we can learn from the philosophers is that moral character determines moral decision in choosing and formulating philosophical ideologies, which will have a lasting benefit to humanity.
References
Baird, F. (2008). From Plato to Derrida: Upper Saddle River. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Gullberg, J. (1997). Mathematics from the Birth of Numbers. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Megill, A. (2002). Karl Marx: The Burden of Reason. New York: Rowman & Littlefield.
Rodis-Lewis, G. (1999). Descartes: His Life and Thought. New York: Cornell University Press.