Foster's 'Breaking the Bonds of Fate' Links Epicurus and Marx in Ecological Materialism

In a video interview, John Bellamy Foster discusses his book 'Breaking the Bonds of Fate' (2025), the final volume of his trilogy on ecological materialism, which also includes 'Marx's Ecology' and 'The Return of Nature'. Foster argues that Epicurus, the Hellenistic philosopher, profoundly influenced Karl Marx's materialism and humanism, providing a foundation for Marx's critique of capitalism and his vision of a sustainable society. The book traces the historical and theoretical connections between Epicurus and Marx, separated by millennia, and emphasizes the concept of 'breaking the bonds of fate'—rejecting fatalistic determinism while embracing contingency and human freedom. Foster highlights Epicurus's notions of the social contract, justice based on reciprocity, and the importance of friendship and solidarity, which resonated with Marx. He also discusses the Epicurean 'swerve' as a basis for a philosophy of freedom, and the cross-civilizational parallels with Daoism in China, as noted by Joseph Needham. Foster contends that this more complete materialism, combining Epicurus's sustainability and Marx's emphasis on production, is essential for addressing contemporary ecological and social crises. The interview is part of a four-part series produced by Lynn Fries for Global Political Economy (GPEnewsdocs).