Hegel, Feuerbach, and Marx - Phooey

Funny: I read ‘The Marx-Engels Reader’ (Robert C. Tucker, ed.) in an attempt to understand the radical left and their Marxist roots. Yet, my epiphany was reading the editor’s introductory explanation, specifically section I of the Introduction on pages xvii-xxii.

According to this, Hegel postulates a movement by mankind from self awareness to a higher plane of existence (God), or whatever he calls it. Feuerbach goes the opposite direction; he goes from God back down to the individual: care, love, and worship (humanism).

Marx makes the key equation: God = political economy = capitalism = accumulation of wealth = private property = man as simple commodity = producer = self estrangement. He then moves from here back down to the individual (socialization and release of the creative powers of the proletariat). He postulates a movement from Man’s self-estrangement back down to his natural state of existence.

Yes, I know: those of you who actually know something about philosophy are probably laughing into your sleeves by now. However, for the first time, I have that warm, fuzzy feeling that I have some inkling of understanding.

As a Buddhist, I view humanity as a dynamic, uncontrollable, and ever changing stream flowing through one of those Zen gardens. Sometimes, a calm, tranquil mirror. Sometimes, a happy, gurgling, babbling brook. Sometimes, a fierce, angry demon destroying everything in its path. Anyone who thinks that they can control this human river is a fool. As such, Hegel, Feuerbach, and Marx are about as valid as The Great Pumpkin.