"The German Ideology" argues for historical materialism, a theory describing the relationship between humanity's economic, political, and intellectual activities. This manuscript, written by Marx and Engels in 1845-46, offers their first comprehensive statement on this concept, presenting a systematic account developed during a period of close collaboration. Though unpublished in their lifetimes and subsequently rediscovered, it stands as a foundational text in Marxist philosophy.
The work provides a detailed criticism of post-Hegelian thought. Readers engage with this comprehensive statement to understand Marx and Engels' interconnected view of human endeavors, demonstrating how material conditions shape broader societal structures and ideas.
Key concepts
- Historical materialism — A theory on the relationship between economic, political, and intellectual activities of man.
- Post-Hegelian thought — The philosophical ideas critiqued by Marx and Engels in this work.
- Systematic account — The structured presentation of their theory of historical materialism.