[CarolinaGuitarman]

" Granted, I understand the timeline. If true, it seems that Marx could not have read Origen of Species before writing his book."

*If* true? lol BTW, it's the Origin, not Origen. :)

"However, it does not seem possible that there is NO connection between evolution and marxism as Marx himself says in the quote that evolutionary ideas are the basis of natural history for his views."

He's attaching his ideas to a popular scientific theory of the day to give his more prestige. You have not shown HOW he would have adapted natural selection and descent with modification into his ideology. It takes more than just saying it to make it so.

It should also be realized that at this time, Marx was a second tier socialist at best; he didn't become a household name until the 20th century. Darwin was a conventional free market, antislavery whig of the time.

[Siena Dreaming]

Thanks for the spelling correction. I guess I have early Church fathers on the brain.

to give his more prestige

Quite a statement for Marx to make...that evolution was the basis for his theory...only for prestige. I guess you are a Freudian too and can guess his motives rather than believe that his words might come from a sincere compliment to a like-minded thinker?