The Evolutionary Connection: Karl Marx and Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin and Karl Marx, two of the most influential figures of their time, never met each other. Despite this, there are intriguing connections between their works and personal lives. While both men were towering intellectual figures in their respective fields, their interactions and correspondences shed light on the connections between political theory, economics, and biology.
Did Karl Marx and Charles Darwin Ever Communicate?
Historically, many have claimed that Marx and Darwin never communicated in any form. However, this claim has been challenged by evidence that suggests both men were aware of each other’s work, albeit indirectly.
Marx admired Darwin's scientific contributions and sent him a copy of 'Das Kapital' in 1873. Darwin wrote back, expressing his gratitude and acknowledging the significance of the book while maintaining a formal distance. This response reads:
Dear Sir:
I thank you for the honour which you have done me by sending me your great work on Capital. I heartily wish that I was more worthy to receive it by understanding more of the deep and important subject of political economy. Though our studies have been so different I believe that we both earnestly desire the extension of Knowledge, that this is in the long run sure to add to the happiness of Mankind. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, Charles Darwin.
This correspondence, while polite, hints at the mutual respect between the two men, even if they never met. Marx’s admirers and contemporaries suggested that he had planned to dedicate ‘Das Kapital’ to Darwin, but the lack of a direct letter to Marx indicates that this may not have been the case.
Charles Darwin and Religion: A Changing View
Charles Darwin’s views on religion were not static; they evolved over time. Initially, when discussing his works, Darwin preferred a neutral stance, acknowledging that discussing religion could be counterproductive. However, in his private writings, he expressed his changing beliefs:
I can indeed hardly see how anyone ought to wish Christianity to be true, for if so the plain language of the text seems to show that the men who do not believe, and this would include my father, brother, and almost all my best friends, will be everlastingly punished. And this is a damnable doctrine.
These private reflections reveal Darwin’s growing doubts about religious doctrine, especially its implications for humanity. He later admitted:
This conclusion was strong in my mind about the time as far as I can remember when I wrote the 'Origin of Species'. ... But then arises the doubt—can the mind of man, which has as I fully believe, been developed from that possessed by the lowest animals, be trusted when it draws such grand conclusions. The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic.
Interactions and Theories
Despite their intellectual exchange, Darwin and Marx's works were largely independent. Darwin’s book 'The Origin of Species' discarded religious views, advocating for natural selection. Meanwhile, Marx developed a political theory based on dialectical materialism. There are theories suggesting that Darwin’s work provided a scientific foundation for Marx's ideas, but no direct evidence supports this claim.
Some creationists, notably Richard Wurmbrand, have suggested that Darwin's theory of evolution was aligned with Satan's influence, accusing Marx of attempting to dedicate 'Das Kapital' to Darwin. These claims, however, are not substantiated by historical records and appear to stem from theological biases rather than factual history.
In conclusion, while exact interactions between Marx and Darwin remain shrouded in mystery, the recognition of their mutual respect and the impact of their ideas on each other's fields of study provide a rich vein of historical dialogue that continues to fascinate scholars and historians alike.
Further Reading
Feuer, L., Fay, D. (1975). The Myth of Marx's Request. Feuer, L., Fay, D. (1978). The Myth of Marx's Request. Marx, K. (1867). Das Kapital. Mark, R. (2012). Creation and Earth History Museum. Grigg, R. (2022). "Darwin, Marx, and Two Letters," in .References: Evolution, Atheism, Biographies, Historical Documents, Science and Religion.