ABSTRACT
The intent of this chapter is to address Baudrillard’s treatment of Marx’s theory of labor and alienation. He seems to agree with this theory in his earlier writings but rather dramatically departs from it in his later works by embracing the tenants of postmodernism, including a rather extreme view of human nature. 1 Merleau-Ponty’s view of human nature will be offered as a counterpoint, as a view that lends support to the young Marx’s theory of alienation. A brief exposition will be offered of each of the authors in question, with some criticism offered along the way, yet with the main focus on Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy, concluding with the critical perspective that it provides. 2
