Marx’s Theory Of Human Needs And Its Implications For Contemporary China

Human needs and their satisfaction are the prerequisite for maintaining the existence of the individual and the basic element of the original historical relations.From this premise,Marx constructs a theory of human needs that differs from previous thinkers.The theory of human needs is an important part of historical materialism and an important element of Marx’s anthropological theory.This theory embodies Marx’s concern for the state of human existence and his vision for the comprehensive development of man.Because of the significance of human needs for the existence and development of human beings,philosophers could not avoid this issue when they elaborated their thoughts.Thus,the discussions of human needs by thinkers in various historical periods have provided the ideological materials for Marx’s theory of human needs.This paper first compares the theoretical origins of Marx’s theory of human needs from the historical vertical dimension,so as to illustrate the critical inheritance relationship between Marx and his predecessors.At the same time,the uniqueness of Marx’s theory of human needs is reflected through an analysis of the characteristics of the time reflected by this theory.Secondly,based on the study of Marx’s classic works in different periods of the transmutation of his thought,the formation and development process of Marx’s theory of human needs is divided into three interlocking stages: the germination and gestation period,the formation and development period,and the period of enrichment and perfection.At the same time,the basic contents of Marx’s theory of human needs are explained in terms of meaning,types and characteristics.The logic of the development of Marx’s theory of human needs is revealed along the lines of the legitimacy of needs,the alienation of needs under private ownership,and the elimination of alienation of needs by communism,and the relationship between human needs and the basic categories of Marx’s anthropology is clarified.Finally,Marx’s theory of needs is combined with the actual development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era to further illustrate the important inspirational value of exploring and studying Marx’s theory of needs in guiding Chinese practice at present.In view of the specific reality of China’s current entry into a new era,the study of the theory of human needs can provide some theoretical basis for a correct understanding of the changes in social development and the contradictions that exist between human needs and social development,and for finding solutions to them.