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Single Idea 5275
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / a. Human distinctiveness
]
Full Idea
Men begin to distinguish themselves from animals as soon as they begin to produce their means of subsistence.
Clarification
'Subsistence' is survival
Gist of Idea
Men distinguish themselves from animals when they begin to produce their means of subsistence
Source
K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846], §1.A)
Book Ref
Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The German Ideology', ed/tr. Arthur,C.J. [Lawrence and Wishart 1985], p.42
A Reaction
This seems a rather external criterion. Presumably we can ask what biological or mental feature made it possible for men to produce their own means of subsistence, and why it evolved. Darwin puts a different perspective on this idea.
The
24 ideas
from 'The German Ideology'
23872
|
'Society determines consciousness' is contradictory; society only exists in minds
[Weil on Marx/Engels]
|
5277
|
Life is not determined by consciousness, but consciousness by life
[Marx/Engels]
|
5280
|
Language co-exists with consciousness, and makes it social
[Marx/Engels]
|
5276
|
The nature of an individual coincides with what they produce and how they produce it
[Marx/Engels]
|
5281
|
Consciousness is a social product
[Marx/Engels]
|
5274
|
Young Hegelians proposed changing our present consciousness for liberating critical consciousness
[Marx/Engels]
|
5275
|
Men distinguish themselves from animals when they begin to produce their means of subsistence
[Marx/Engels]
|
5273
|
Young Hegelians think consciousness is chains for men, where old Hegelians think it the bond of society
[Marx/Engels]
|
5283
|
In communist society we are not trapped in one activity, but can act freely
[Marx/Engels]
|
5282
|
If the common interest imposes on the individual, his actions become alienated and enslaving
[Marx/Engels]
|
5278
|
Philosophy is no more than abstractions concerning observations of human historical development
[Marx/Engels]
|
5284
|
Communism abolishes private property and dissolves the powerful world market
[Marx/Engels]
|
5279
|
Human history must always be studied in relation to industry and exchange
[Marx/Engels]
|
5286
|
Most historians are trapped in the illusions of their own epoch
[Marx/Engels]
|
5287
|
Philosophical problems are resolved into empirical facts
[Marx/Engels]
|
5285
|
Slavery cannot be abolished without the steam-engine
[Marx/Engels]
|
5288
|
The class controlling material production also controls mental production
[Marx/Engels]
|
5290
|
The revolutionary class is opposed to 'class', and represents all of society
[Marx/Engels]
|
5289
|
When aristocracy or the bourgeoisie dominate, certain values dominate with them
[Marx/Engels]
|
5291
|
The law says private property is the result of the general will
[Marx/Engels]
|
5292
|
Individuals are mutually hostile unless they group together in competition with other groups
[Marx/Engels]
|
5294
|
To assert themselves as individuals, the proletarians must overthrow the State
[Marx/Engels]
|
5293
|
Only in community are people able to cultivate their gifts, and therefore be free
[Marx/Engels]
|
21992
|
Producing their own subsistence distinguishes men from animals
[Marx/Engels]
|