The Philosophy of Praxis: How Marxist Philosophy Transcends the Epistemological Tradition

Abstract

This paper critically examines the limitations of traditional epistemology through the lens of Marxist philosophy, emphasizing how dialectical materialism transcends the abstract, dualistic, and idealist tendencies of classical Western thought. By situating knowledge within historical and social praxis, Marxist epistemology challenges the Cartesian-Kantian framework that isolates cognition from material conditions. This study explores the ideological functions of epistemology under capitalism, illustrating how dominant knowledge systems reinforce class hierarchies and obscure the material foundations of cognition. Integrating insights from feminist standpoint theory, the analysis highlights how class and gender shape epistemic privilege and access to knowledge. Ultimately, the paper argues that knowledge must be understood as a historically contingent and socially embedded process, necessitating a revolutionary transformation of epistemic structures to align with collective emancipation and social change.