Logic Construction of Freedom: A Study of Marx's Doctoral Dissertation

In his Doctoral Dissertation, Karl Marx analyzed the general and specific differences between Democritus' and Epicurus' natural philosophies, and, on basis on which, he elaborated the thought of atomism in perspective of philosophic development history. Through his revealing of atom inclination doctrine in Epicurean philosophy, he confirmed the subjective dimension of human freedom and elaborated theoretically the logical construction of freedom. In perspective of legal(right) philosophy, Marx shared with Hobbs a goal of justifying freedom However, in approaches to justifying, they showed differences in alienation logic and political scientific theory. The alienation logic illustrated in the Doctoral Dissertation provided thinking tools for Marx's deep critique of the law-right relationship in capitalist society, and helped him therefrom constructed a view of essential freedom. There were fundamental difference and connections between formal freedom and essential freedom. Essential freedom is freedom pursued by Marx for resume of human nature, while formal freedom is freedom in liberal legal philosophy.