Marx in SOP?

[tbonetrain]

Do you think it would hurt me to quote Marx on replacing drudgery with self-realization through the power of education? I don't think there's anything wrong with quoting one of the most influential philosophers of the past millennium, but I'm just curious if anyone disagrees...

Cheers,

A

[greendiplomat]

Do you think it would hurt me to quote Marx on replacing drudgery with self-realization through the power of education? I don't think there's anything wrong with quoting one of the most influential philosophers of the past millennium, but I'm just curious if anyone disagrees...

Cheers,

A

I think quoting Marx shows that you know that there's more to him than the Communist Manifesto, and that you're well-read in Political Philosophy (that is, unless you're applying to a super right-wing school... which seems relatively uncommon in the field of international diplomacy / public policy).

Slightly different story if you were trying to quote Lenin.

[Batignolles]

I think quoting Marx shows that you know that there's more to him than the Communist Manifesto, and that you're well-read in Political Philosophy (that is, unless you're applying to a super right-wing school... which seems relatively uncommon in the field of international diplomacy / public policy).

Slightly different story if you were trying to quote Lenin.

I agree - I think using Marx outside of the usual context shows depth and will add some excitement to the essay. With the usage you're planning, I really can't see the adcoms having any kind of problem with it.