Well, here you go:
Karl Marx
Philosopher, social scientist, historian and revolutionary, Karl Marx is undoubtedly the most influential socialist thinker to emerge in the 19th century. Often called the father of communism, this scholar and political activist is a famous and important man, even though most scholars do not seem to pay much attention to his ideas.
As I was preparing myself to interview Mr Marx, I first decided to do a bit of research on his family.
I was surprised to find out that such an intelligent scholar was born in a simple middle class family. Karl Marx’s full name was Karl Heinrich Marx and he was bron in Trier, in the Kingdom of Prussia’s province of the Lower Rhine. He was the third of seven children of Hienrich and Hienrietta; Sophie and Hermann were older than Karl while Henriette, Louise, Emilie and Caroline were younger. Karl’s father, Hienrich, was born as a Jew having actually descended from a long line of rabbis. However, because the Prussian authoroties did not allow him to practice law as a Jew, Hienrich had to baptise and become Christian so that he could continue practicing law. He not only changed his religion but also had to change his name from Herschel Mordechai to Hienrich Marx. Karl’s marriage also seemed to be an interesting subject, but I wanted to hear that from the horses mouth itself.
Realizing, “This will be and amazing experience,” I shook his hand and, nervously began:
Mr. Marx, what do you think about capitalism and how it should be approached?
It seems he was anticipating this question. He came straight to the point.
I do not promote the idea of capitalism, as I believe that capitalism will eventually destroy itself and because of that it should not be followed. I believe that the contradictions within capitalism and/or the organized actions of the international working class will bring the end of capitalism. One of my famous quotes represents exactly that: "Communism is for us not a state of affairs which is to be established, an ideal to which reality [will] have to adjust itself. We call communism the real movement which abolishes the present state of things. The conditions of this movement result from the premises now in existence."
Hopefully these brilliant ideas of mine will create a major change in the workers’ movement.
You have written several books. Are they all about communism?
I have written many books, I think thirteen in all, he replied happily. If I remember correctly, I did write a few books about capitalism also.
Have you always been a philosopher?
I have not always been a philosopher, but I have always thought of life in the way that a philospher thinks - how it is meant to be lived and many other intriguing things that it rolls out. However, before becoming a philosopher, I was a journalist, then I became a author and actually wrote a book related to philosophy. Afterwards I became a journalist again, then an author again.
How were you educated?
I was educated at home until the age of thirteen. After graduating from the Trier Gymnasium, at the age of seventeen, I enrolled in the University of Bonn in 1835 to study law. There, I joined the Trier Tavern Club Drinking Society and at one point served as its president. I was interested in studying philosophy and literature, but my father would not allow it because he did not believe that I would be able to comfortably support myself in the future as a scholar.
And one last personal question, Mr. Marx. Our readers would like to know a bit about your marriage and personal life?
I was married to Jenny von Westphalen on June 19, 1843. Our engagement was kept secret at first, since both of our families objected to the engagement but, evetually we did get married. We already had had four children and were planning to have three more. Alas, at the end of it only three have survived. In the beginning, we lived in poverty and constant fear of creditorst. My good buddy Engels helped me financially on several occassions and I will always remain grateful to him.
As Mr Marx walked out of the door, I could only think of how the history would judge this great man with revolutionary ideas.
Philosopher, social scientist, historian and revolutionary, Karl Marx is undoubtedly the most influential socialist thinker to emerge in the 19th century. Often called the father of communism, this scholar and political activist is a famous and important man, even though most scholars do not seem to pay much attention to his ideas.
As I was preparing myself to interview Mr Marx, I first decided to do a bit of research on his family.
I was surprised to find out that such an intelligent scholar was born in a simple middle class family. Karl Marx’s full name was Karl Heinrich Marx and he was bron in Trier, in the Kingdom of Prussia’s province of the Lower Rhine. He was the third of seven children of Hienrich and Hienrietta; Sophie and Hermann were older than Karl while Henriette, Louise, Emilie and Caroline were younger. Karl’s father, Hienrich, was born as a Jew having actually descended from a long line of rabbis. However, because the Prussian authoroties did not allow him to practice law as a Jew, Hienrich had to baptise and become Christian so that he could continue practicing law. He not only changed his religion but also had to change his name from Herschel Mordechai to Hienrich Marx. Karl’s marriage also seemed to be an interesting subject, but I wanted to hear that from the horses mouth itself.
Realizing, “This will be and amazing experience,” I shook his hand and, nervously began:
Mr. Marx, what do you think about capitalism and how it should be approached?
It seems he was anticipating this question. He came straight to the point.
I do not promote the idea of capitalism, as I believe that capitalism will eventually destroy itself and because of that it should not be followed. I believe that the contradictions within capitalism and/or the organized actions of the international working class will bring the end of capitalism. One of my famous quotes represents exactly that: "Communism is for us not a state of affairs which is to be established, an ideal to which reality [will] have to adjust itself. We call communism the real movement which abolishes the present state of things. The conditions of this movement result from the premises now in existence."
Hopefully these brilliant ideas of mine will create a major change in the workers’ movement.
You have written several books. Are they all about communism?
I have written many books, I think thirteen in all, he replied happily. If I remember correctly, I did write a few books about capitalism also.
Have you always been a philosopher?
I have not always been a philosopher, but I have always thought of life in the way that a philospher thinks - how it is meant to be lived and many other intriguing things that it rolls out. However, before becoming a philosopher, I was a journalist, then I became a author and actually wrote a book related to philosophy. Afterwards I became a journalist again, then an author again.
How were you educated?
I was educated at home until the age of thirteen. After graduating from the Trier Gymnasium, at the age of seventeen, I enrolled in the University of Bonn in 1835 to study law. There, I joined the Trier Tavern Club Drinking Society and at one point served as its president. I was interested in studying philosophy and literature, but my father would not allow it because he did not believe that I would be able to comfortably support myself in the future as a scholar.
And one last personal question, Mr. Marx. Our readers would like to know a bit about your marriage and personal life?
I was married to Jenny von Westphalen on June 19, 1843. Our engagement was kept secret at first, since both of our families objected to the engagement but, evetually we did get married. We already had had four children and were planning to have three more. Alas, at the end of it only three have survived. In the beginning, we lived in poverty and constant fear of creditorst. My good buddy Engels helped me financially on several occassions and I will always remain grateful to him.
As Mr Marx walked out of the door, I could only think of how the history would judge this great man with revolutionary ideas.
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