Acknowledgements A Note on the Term 'Alienation' Introduction The Concept of Alienation: Hegelian Themes in Modern Social Thought Creative Activity and Alienation in Hegel and Marx The Concept of Labour The Individual and Society Freedom and the "Realm of Necessity" Alienation as a Critical Concept Private Property and Communism The Division of Labour and its Overcoming Marx's Conception of Communism Appendix: The "Uplifting Influence" of Work and Industry Bibliography Index

The concepts of alienation and its overcoming are central to Marx's thought. They underpin his critique of capitalism and his vision of future society. Marx's ideas are explained in rigorous and clear terms. They are situated in the context of the Hegelian ideas that inspired them and put into dialogue with contemporary debates.

Sean Sayers is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kent, UK.