Marx’s philosophy was a product of three developments that took place before he was born in 1818: the Enlightenment, the beginning of modern economic thought, and the emergence of European socialism.

The philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries who contributed to the Enlightenment opened the way for Marx in several respects. Overall, the philosophers of the Enlightenment challenged the older, dominant philosophical view of first principles, which is the theory that knowledge is best found by going back to a fundamental law or concept. Instead, they argued that knowledge is only achieved through experience and observation, which is called empiricism.

Another key theme from the Enlightenment was the idea that the quest for happiness is an important part of human nature. Instead of being innately wicked, fallen creatures, as the traditional Christian view held, humans only seek comfort and happiness. Finally, some writers of the Enlightenment expressed the view that governments are meant to reflect the will of its citizens. Altogether, these concepts shaped the idea that governments and societies should strive to guarantee the happiness of their peoples as much as possible. Furthermore, states can be changed to help the people through ideas and reforms that are determined through reason and scientific observation.