The transformation of Marx's early thought as seen from his debate with Powell

The transformation of Marx’s early thought has long been a focal point of theoretical discussion. However, there remains considerable debate on this issue, primarily due to the lack of a clear and comprehensive depiction of Marx’s early intellectual framework. In particular, the influence of Bruno Bauer on Marx’s early thought has not received sufficient attention in academic circles. This paper seeks to examine the role of Bauer’s philosophy in the evolution of Marx’s early ideas, analyzing the polemical texts On the Jewish Question and The Holy Family to reconstruct the complete schema of Marx’s intellectual shift. By doing so, it aims to contribute to the ongoing theoretical debate on the transformation of Marx’s early thought.