To be radical is to go to the root of the matter. For man, however, the root is man himself

To be radical is to go to the root of the matter. For man, however, the root is man himself

Karl Marx, a renowned philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist, is often associated with the idea of radicalism. His famous quote, "To be radical is to go to the root of the matter. For man, however, the root is man himself," encapsulates his belief in the importance of understanding and addressing the fundamental issues that underlie society.

Marx's philosophy was deeply rooted in the idea of class struggle and the exploitation of the working class by the capitalist ruling class. He believed that the root of all social problems could be traced back to the inherent contradictions within the capitalist system. By going to the root of the matter, Marx sought to uncover the underlying structures and mechanisms that perpetuated inequality and injustice in society.

For Marx, the root of the matter was man himself – specifically, the social relations and economic systems that shaped human behavior and interactions. He argued that the capitalist mode of production alienated workers from the products of their labor, leading to exploitation, alienation, and dehumanization. By understanding and addressing these root causes, Marx believed that society could be transformed into a more just and equitable system.

Marx's radicalism was not just about critiquing the existing social order, but also about envisioning a new and better world. He called for the abolition of private property, the establishment of a classless society, and the creation of a system based on cooperation and solidarity rather than competition and exploitation. By going to the root of the matter and challenging the fundamental structures of society, Marx sought to bring about a revolutionary transformation that would benefit all of humanity.