Single Idea 5293

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 7. Communitarianism / a. Communitarianism]

Full Idea

Only in community with others has each individual the means of cultivating his gifts in all directions; only in the community, therefore, is personal freedom possible.

Gist of Idea

Only in community are people able to cultivate their gifts, and therefore be free

Source

K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846], §1.D)

Book Reference

Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The German Ideology', ed/tr. Arthur,C.J. [Lawrence and Wishart 1985], p.83


A Reaction

This is where Aristotle and Marx agree, and I agree too. I think we could drop the word "free", which is to some degree a necessary right and precondition of human happiness, but is not the real target.