West European Studies

Despite their differences in both work and focus, Charles Darwin and Karl Marx
did find a common ground on certain points of belief. Karl Marx held a firm belief that
nature existed for the benefit of man, and had begun to do so due to mans early attempts
to control natures actions. In his viewpoint, nature is not an independent entity from
mankind. Mother Nature serves man, who controls it through the use of invention and
progress in technology. Man manipulated and analyzed nature from the perspective of
how it is utilized by mankind.

Darwin believed that species were formed due to a natural struggle that
occurred within nature. Different animals showed variation in their development
over generations had been caused by small changes within the genetics of the parents.

The genetic variations that were passed on to the young were those that helped the
particular species survive in the environment in which they lived. Those animals
who did not have a stronger variation in their genetics eventually died off due to natural
selection.

The basic beliefs that they agreed on primarily fall in the following areas
a struggle for survival, the influence of one entity upon another to effect change and in
the presence of variations within a process of change. These beliefs, though agreed upon,
differed primarily in the context in which they were applied.

The struggle for survival is one point on which Darwin and Marx could agree,
except that they viewed it in two different contexts. For Marx, the struggle for survival
was based within a human context. Social classes were in a state of struggle for survival,
with the working-class struggling against the ruling class. Darwin, on the other hand,
saw struggle for survival within the evolution of species in nature. As he observed
during his travels, Darwin noted how natural selection ruled the process of certain
animals surviving because they have adapted to the environment and pass those traits on
while others who hadnt died off.

Though they focus on different areas, the two did see within their particular
realm of study be struggle that was occurring in either nature or within the singular
scope of mankind. Marx believed that economic circumstances within a society could
act and influence man without him necessarily being aware of it and at times not able
to control it either.

In contrast, Darwin, held that nature exerted influence on the development of a
species in that in order to survive, that particular animal had to adapt to the environment.
In order to adapt, the genetic makeup of the animal was changed over generations as
the most advantageous changes led to survival. The environment, through its influence,
set up the circumstances so that animals who could not adapt effectively went extinct.


Marx, in his writing of Das Kapital, he comments on Darwins idea of variation
within a process of change. He discusses Darwins belief that certain internal organs of
many plants and animals didnt specialize in one job, but might have many different
ones to perform. This variation in job roles leaves room for change to occur in the
future in that organs functioning within the body. He saw this as being similar to
the history of man with tools. Some started out as being used for a variety of purposes,
but as the work became more specialized, so did the tools.

As a whole, Marx was able to find many applications for Darwins theories within
his own work on the social structure of mans existence. He supported many of Darwins
theories, while rejecting others. Darwin did not maintain an open correspondence with
Marx regarding his work, especially later in life when Marx sent him a copy of his work.

In the correspondence, though, another possible middle ground is found between
the two on the subject of religion. Marx makes reference to the weakness in the history of
religion to observe the effects of mans technology on both the natural world and in the
formation of social relationships. He felt that studying society from the abstract
viewpoint of the church was not very feasible or scientific.

Darwin had responded to an earlier from Marx regarding religion in an evasive
manner. He would not write openly himself about it, as he feared offending others
close to him. But, as Colp states, as Darwin matured into his later years his own views
went more to the side against Christianity. In this manner, he may have been more
sympathetic to Marxs viewpoints on the subject, those he chose not to openly express
them in public.

Darwin and Marx were two towering figures in their time, and their writings
had huge influence on many areas of society. Though separated by language, ideology
and geography, the two did find within each others similarities in thought. They also
inadvertently influenced one another in the theories that they projected. Marx found
support for his work on social structure, change and development within Darwins
descriptions of the natural world. In turn, Darwin found sympathy with Marxs
religious stance at the latter part of both of their lives.

Even after their deaths, the two theories of Darwinism and evolution would find
a similar voice in the literature and later interpretation of their work. This cemented even
further the influence that the two had upon one another in their correspondence and
reading of one anothers ideals.