II. The History of Philosophy

We have already discussed how the fundamental question of philosophy did arise. But development of philosophy presupposes a situation in which a section of population is freed from necessary labour

III. Sources of Marxist Philosophy

Contrary to metaphysics and mechanical materialism, it was Hegel's (1770-1831) dialectical system which developed dialectics to a higher stage. For the first time Hegel presented nature, history and intellectual field

IV. Unity and Struggle of Opposites

Lenin, while pointing out weaknesses in the dialectical method adopted by Plekhanov, emphasised that the law of unity of opposites is the essence of dialectics. “Dialectics in proper sense is

V. The Materiality of the World

1. Lenin said, “Development (or motion) is struggle of opposites.” According to materialist outlook, “Motion is the mode of existence of matter.” Motion in cosmic space, mechanical motion of smaller

VI. Historical Materialism

Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels applied dialectical method in studying history and analysed man's social life with materialist outlook, thereby giving birth to historical materialism. We will now discuss some

EPILOGUE

Marxist philosophy of dialectical materialism has two outstanding characteristics. One is its class nature : it openly avows that it is in the service of proletariat. The other is its

APPENDIX – I

INDIAN PHILOSOPHY As observed beforehand, the emergence and development of philosophy, its progress and stagnation, all depends upon the development of productive forces in the society, upon the development of men's

Appendix-II

Agnosticism : The agnostic's conception of nation is materialistic throughout. The entire world is, according to them, governed by law, and absolutely excludes the intervention of action from without. But,

1. In Quest of Philosophy

We are living in a topsy-turvy world. An unprecedented turmoil has gripped us economically, politically, socially and morally. Galloping inflation, mounting unemployment, political instability, earth-shaking revolutions and people's heroic struggles