“On a level plain, simple mounds look like hills; and the insipid flatness of our present bourgeoisie is to be measured by the altitude of its great intellects.”
- May 5, 1818 – March 14, 1883
- Born in the Kingdom of Prussia (Germany)
- Philosopher, economist, political thinker
- Wrote Das Kapital and laid the foundations for socialist and communist thought
Quote
“On a level plain, simple mounds look like hills; and the insipid flatness of our present bourgeoisie is to be measured by the altitude of its great intellects.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marx uses a metaphor to critique the bourgeois class—the capitalist class—and its intellectuals. The first part of the quote suggests that on a level plain, even small mounds can appear to be hills, implying that when there is a lack of real substance or depth, even minor achievements or abilities seem exaggerated. Marx draws a parallel between this visual distortion and the intellectual achievements of the bourgeoisie. In his view, the “great intellects” of the capitalist class are not truly great but are inflated in importance, merely appearing impressive because of the lack of real intellectual depth within the broader bourgeoisie. The “insipid flatness” refers to the shallow nature of bourgeois culture and intellectualism, which Marx believed served to justify and reinforce the capitalist system rather than challenge or transform it.
Historically, Marx saw the bourgeoisie as a class that emerged with the rise of capitalism, and he argued that their intellectual and cultural production often reflected their interests in maintaining their own economic power and social position. Rather than challenging the injustices of the system, the great intellects of the bourgeoisie typically worked to legitimize capitalism, rationalize inequality, and uphold existing power structures. For Marx, the true value of intellectual work should not be about reinforcing the status quo but should be dedicated to critiquing society and promoting human liberation.
In modern terms, this critique continues to apply to the intellectual elite in capitalist societies. Whether in academia, media, or political discourse, there are still prominent intellectuals whose ideas serve the interests of the ruling class, often perpetuating the dominance of capitalism through theory, cultural production, or political thought. Marx’s observation challenges us to critically assess the value of intellectual achievements in the context of a system that prioritizes profit and power over human equality and justice. In this sense, the “great intellects” of today might not be truly transformative but simply tools that reinforce the dominant economic order.
