Two Orientations to Criticism of“Modernity”—— On basic Differences between Marx' Criticism of Capital and Discourse of Modem Philosophy

This paper maintains that criticism of modernity in discourse of modern philosophy today focuses mainly on the ideological side, which tends to consider the spirit and principles of enlightenment as the most internal aspects to account for the dilemma of modernity. When Marx criticized the capitalist modern ideology, the author reasons, he referred to the category of capital to conceptualize modernity, and interpreted the essential principles and construct of the modern existence theory in the light of historical materialism. However, discourse of modern philosophy failed to understand the meaning of Marxist category of capital, and then unconsciously, if not consciously, refers to it as an economic theory of reversion. While doing so, they consider Marxist theory a theory of modernity to adhere to or criticize. Consequently, the founding significance of Marx' criticism of modernity gets lost. This article analyzes the basic differences between Marx's criticism of modernity by referring to capital and the modern discourse that is so popular nowadays, and emphasizes the critical position of Marxist ideas in modern criticism.