A book like Alienation is never truly finished; its arguments are only more or less ready to be read. Under the sometimes forceful prodding of critics and other readers, I have tried to improve its readiness by filling in bothersome gaps, providing occasional clarifications and otherwise strengthening positions that events have shown to be wanting.

Most of the critical comment, both favorable and unfavorable, directed at Alienation has had to do with my attributing to Marx a philosophy of internal relations and the conclusions I drew from this. That this was in part foreseen is evidenced by the appendix to the first edition in which I tried to respond, before the fact, to expected criticisms. This was clearly insufficient, as these same and similar objections fell upon me from all sides, including the side of those who had much praise for the book. I would like to take advantage of this second edition to return to the fray and offer a more extended defense for my interpretation, especially since I consider it to be absolutely central to what is of value not only in this book but in the book I am now writing on Marx's method. The response to my critics on the question of internal relations is found in Appendix II of this edition.