Single Idea 21993

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 9. Communism]

Full Idea

The materialist conception of history tells us that human beings are totally subject to forces they do not understand and control.

Gist of Idea

Materialist history says we are subject to incomprehensible forces

Source

Peter Singer (Marx [1980], 6)

Book Reference

Singer,Peter: 'Marx' [OUP 1996], p.34


A Reaction

How does Marx know the forces? An exceptionally influential idea, because it is a modern commonplace that we have very little control over our own lives (apart from right wingers asserting that 'you can have anything if you really really want it').