The text you’ve provided is a lengthy and detailed exploration of the Marxist perspective on human nature and human essence, written by Liu Guangchen. The author distinguishes between the concept of human nature, which he relates to the question of self-interest versus collective interest, and the Marxist philosophical concept of human essence, which is rooted in a person’s social and natural relationships.
Liu Guangchen argues that human essence, according to Marx, is the totality of social relations in reality, as well as the historical and changing nature of these relations. He further elaborates that human essence includes not only social relations but also relations with nature, and that the most fundamental essence that distinguishes humans from other living beings is the ability to produce their own means of subsistence by dominating nature. This ability to dominate nature is the key to understanding human essence in the Marxist framework.
The author criticizes the tendency to equate human nature with human essence and suggests that this confusion has led to misunderstandings and debates within Marxist theory, particularly regarding the nature of human beings. He highlights the importance of distinguishing between human nature as a question of individual versus collective interests and human essence as an understanding of what makes humans distinct from other living beings.
Liu Guangchen’s analysis is focused on providing a clearer understanding of the Marxist perspective on human nature and human essence, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the difference between the two concepts. He also critiques certain interpretations of Marx’s ideas, particularly those that equate human essence with sociality, arguing that this perspective does not adequately account for the role of human domination of nature in defining human essence.
In summary, Liu Guangchen’s article is a deep dive into Marxist philosophy, specifically addressing the concepts of human nature and human essence. He argues for a clearer distinction between the two and criticizes the conflation of the two concepts in Marxist theory, which he believes has led to misunderstandings and debates within the field.
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