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The Difference Between the Democritean and Epicurean Philosophy of Nature

Karl Marx · 1841

Marx's 1841 doctoral dissertation comparing the atomist philosophies of Democritus and Epicurus, dedicated to his future father-in-law.

This is Marx's own doctoral dissertation, revealing his early philosophical outlook before his later political writings.

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Cover of a Forgotten Books Classic Reprint Series edition titled 'The Difference between the Democritean and Epicurean Philosophy of Nature' by Karl Marx. Cream paper cover with a torn edge revealing a dark bottom section, a red wax seal, and gold text.
Cover of a modern reprint edition of Karl Marx's 1841 doctoral thesis.

About this source

What it is

This is Karl Marx's doctoral dissertation, completed in 1841 for the University of Jena, comparing the ancient Greek philosophers Democritus and Epicurus on atomism and chance. Marx dedicated it to Ludwig von Westphalen, his friend, mentor, and future father-in-law. It was first published, incomplete, only in 1902. It is held at the International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam.

Why it matters

The thesis reveals the young Marx as a Young Hegelian philosopher, arguing, according to one biographer, that theology must yield to philosophy. It shows his intellectual starting point years before he developed his later economic and political theories, and his personal connection to Ludwig von Westphalen's family.

Look closer

  • Why might Marx have chosen ancient philosophers as the subject of his dissertation?
  • What does the dedication to his future father-in-law suggest about his personal life at the time?
  • Why was this text not published until decades after it was written?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Karl Marx on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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