Ethical Marxism and its radical critics

Wilde defends what he calls Ethical Marxism. This is a familiar view, which many refer to as Marxist Humanism. According to Wilde, Marx holds that there is a human essence which involves freedom and the development of each individual's creative potential. This is achievable, however, only under conditions of economic and political democracy. People are alienated from their essential "social creativity" under capitalism. The essence gives rise to an "ought" -- condition should be changed so that people can be what they ought to be. Wilde finds the roots of Marx's theory in ancient Greek thought.