Fyodor Dostoevsky vs Karl Marx: Personal Freedom in Existential and Social Dimensions

Abstract

The paper explores the perspectives of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Karl Marx regarding hu­man freedom, highlighting their relevance amidst the contradictory landscape of social devel­opment in late capitalism. It is well-established that Dostoevsky's ‘orthodox’ socialist stance resonated with Marx's critique of bourgeois society, focusing on themes of materialism, the dominance of wealth, and alienation. Both thinkers grappled with the concept of human free­dom, recognizing it as an intrinsic characteristic and essential aspect of humanity. While they shared similar views on existential and social dimensions of freedom, they diverged in their conceptual approaches to achieving it. The study aims to demonstrate, through a comparative analysis of Dostoevsky's and Marx's perspectives, that despite differences in their under­standing of freedom and its attainment, their positions can be seen as complementary. Dosto­evsky advocated for inner spiritual improvement, while Marx prioritized external structural change. Research indicates that these perspectives can mutually reinforce each other. The au­thors assert and support the thesis that according to Dostoevsky, achieving spiritual freedom is feasible through labour activity, a concept akin to Marx's notion of praxis.

Keywords

• human
• alienation
• moral compass
• faith
• capitalism
• socialism