The Enigma of Survival: The Concept of “Alienation” and Its Cultural Interpretation

Alienation" is an important concept in the field of Marxist philosophy.With the rise of cultural studies in the late 20th century, it became a frequently borrowed term in the field of literary theory, used to explain contemporary society.From the continental philosophers in the 17th and 18th centuries to classical Marxism in the mid-19th century, and then to sociology in the late 19th century and Western Marxism in the 20th century, the concept of "alienation" has evolved within various disciplines and historical contexts, shaping its developmental trajectory.Since the 20th century, as a key term in cultural studies, "alienation" has inherited the intellectual legacy of political science and sociology, while opening up critical perspectives in cultural studies.This has made it an essential topic in the realms of literature and culture.By employing the method of conceptual history, one can examine the changing meanings of "alienation" in classical Marxism, especially Western Marxism.From a diachronic perspective, this approach can further clarify the implications of "alienation" in the social and historical changes of the 20th century, enhancing the understanding of classical concepts.