In [[sociology]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_social_theory critical social theory], '''alienation''' refers to an individual's estrangement from traditional community and others in general. It is considered by many that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomism atomism] of modern [[society]] means that [[individuals]] have [[Superficial|shallower]] [[Relationship|relations]] with other people than they would normally. This, it is argued, leads to difficulties in [[understanding]] and adapting to each other's [[uniqueness]]. It is also sometimes referred to as commodification, emphasizing the compatibility of [[capitalism]] with alienation (a common theme of the early work of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl Marx Karl Marx]. | In [[sociology]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_social_theory critical social theory], '''alienation''' refers to an individual's estrangement from traditional community and others in general. It is considered by many that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomism atomism] of modern [[society]] means that [[individuals]] have [[Superficial|shallower]] [[Relationship|relations]] with other people than they would normally. This, it is argued, leads to difficulties in [[understanding]] and adapting to each other's [[uniqueness]]. It is also sometimes referred to as commodification, emphasizing the compatibility of [[capitalism]] with alienation (a common theme of the early work of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl Marx Karl Marx]. |