This essay explores Marx’s break from philosophy, arguing that his materialism emerges from a commitment to understanding and transforming real social life. Rejecting both idealism and traditional materialism, Marx develops a theory centered on practical, sensuous human activity embedded in historical social relations. By prioritizing lived reality over abstract thought, he moves beyond philosophy toward a revolutionary framework aimed at grasping and changing the conditions

In this conversation, Vanessa Wills explores the moral heart of Marxism. Challenging the view of Marx as a cold materialist, Wills reveals his deep ethical vision, one that is grounded in freedom, creativity, and collective self-determination. She argues that revolution is not chaos but humanity’s conscious effort to overcome alienation and shape a just world, where moral and historical progress unite in the struggle for genuine emancipation.