Beyond Marxism and Existentialism: A Return to the Ancients for a Deeper Wisdom

Abstract

This article defines Existentialism and Marxism in rather broad terms. It argues that while there are certain redeeming qualities to these philosophies, they suffer from certain insurmountable shortcomings. The article then gives a rather brief account of the merits found among the ancients where an attunement to the idea of “wonder” and philosophical speculations of notions of love, may suggest a way to overcome the negative aspects of both Marxism and Existentialism. And while the latter two philosophies were an attempt to create a better world in many respects-albeit debatably unsuccessful in doing so – the ancients perhaps provide a more robust vision of humantas, a certain wisdom that even today may have significant ramifications.