Summary
The central argument of *The German Ideology* is that the relationship between economic, political, and intellectual activities of man forms a systematic account of history. This work represents Marx and Engels' first comprehensive statement on historical materialism, developed through their detailed criticism of post-Hegelian thought. Written in 1845-46, the manuscript was not published until nearly ninety years after its creation, becoming a classic of Marxist philosophy.
This book provides a systematic account of Marx and Engels' theory on how material conditions shape societal activities. Readers will understand the core tenets of their comprehensive statement on historical materialism, a foundational element of their philosophical work, developed during a period of close cooperation.
Key concepts
- Historical materialism — Marx and Engels' first comprehensive statement on the theory of the relationship between the economic, political, and intellectual activities of man.
- Post-Hegelian thought — A detailed criticism of philosophical ideas that followed Hegel.
- Economic activities — The material basis that influences political and intellectual activities.
- Political activities — A component of human action systemically linked to economic and intellectual activities.
- Intellectual activities — The realm of ideas and consciousness, understood within the context of historical materialism.
From the book
Description: "In Brussels, in 1845-46, Marx and Engels labored on this detailed criticism of post-Hegelian thought. The manuscript was not published during their lifetime, being abandoned, as Marx once said, 'to the gnawing criticism of the mice.' Almost ninety years after it was written, the manuscript was recovered and published. This work was Marx' and Engels' first comprehensive statement on historical materialism. The product of a period of undisturbed cooperation, it is a systematic account of their theory of the relationship between the economic, political and intellectual activities of man. It has become one of the classics of Marxist philosophy." - Back cover.
Snippet: ' Almost ninety years after it was written, the manuscript was recovered and published. This work was Marx' and Engels' first comprehensive statement on historical materialism.