Gattungswesen, Stoffwechsel und Naturschranken

Abstract This paper explores two key concepts in Marx and argues for their interconnection: species-being and natural limits. In section 1 I provide an account of the idea of species-being drawing on both Hegel and Marx. I show that species-being is connected with self-consciousness of the form of living activity and its natural limits, enabling and constraining certain theoretical and practical powers. In section 2 I develop a philosophical account of natural limits in contrast to the empirical account taken up in eco-Marxist debates. I argue that this philosophical account provides a new way of understanding Marx’s claim that the movement of capital is limitless or maßlos , drawing on Aristotle to develop an idea of limits connected with purposes or ends. In section 3 I turn to Hegel’s account of limits to provide a more dynamic and dialectical account of natural limits, in accordance with our powers of self-consciousness and self-transcendence.