Which prominent sociologist critiqued the impact of industrial society on individuals?

The choice of Karl Marx as the prominent sociologist who critiqued the impact of industrial society on individuals is grounded in his extensive analysis of capitalism and its effects on social structures and individual lives. Marx examined how industrialization transformed not only economic relationships but also social interactions, leading to alienation. He argued that in capitalist societies, workers become estranged from the products of their labor, the labor process, and ultimately, themselves. This alienation arises due to the commodification of labor, where individuals are reduced to mere cogs in the industrial machine, depriving them of meaningful engagement and connection with their work and community.

Marx's critique foregrounds the socio-economic disparities inherent in industrial societies, emphasizing how class struggle and exploitation shape individual experiences. His work has had a lasting impact on sociological and economic theory, particularly in understanding how industrialization affects social identity and personal fulfillment.

In comparison, while Zygmunt Bauman and Georg Simmel also address themes related to modernity and individual experience, Bauman focuses on liquid modernity and the transient nature of contemporary relationships, and Simmel examines the effects of urbanization and social forms rather than primarily critiquing industrial society. Pierre-André Taguieff’s work is more centered on