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Single Idea 5292
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / a. Human distinctiveness
]
Full Idea
Separate individuals form a class only insofar as they have to carry on a battle against another class; otherwise they are on hostile terms with each other as competitors.
Gist of Idea
Individuals are mutually hostile unless they group together in competition with other groups
Source
K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846], §1.D)
Book Ref
Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The German Ideology', ed/tr. Arthur,C.J. [Lawrence and Wishart 1985], p.82
A Reaction
Beneath the Marxist view that consciousness is a social creation lies a Hobbesian pessimism about basic human nature. This idea bodes ill for ultimate communism, because class struggle will have been abolished. What, then, can unite people?
The
24 ideas
from 'The German Ideology'
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23872
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'Society determines consciousness' is contradictory; society only exists in minds
[Weil on Marx/Engels]
|
|
5277
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Life is not determined by consciousness, but consciousness by life
[Marx/Engels]
|
|
5278
|
Philosophy is no more than abstractions concerning observations of human historical development
[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]
|
|
5274
|
Young Hegelians proposed changing our present consciousness for liberating critical consciousness
[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]
|
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5282
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If the common interest imposes on the individual, his actions become alienated and enslaving
[Marx/Engels]
|
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5275
|
Men distinguish themselves from animals when they begin to produce their means of subsistence
[Marx/Engels]
|
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5281
|
Consciousness is a social product
[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]
|
|
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]
|
|
5287
|
Philosophical problems are resolved into empirical facts
[Marx/Engels]
|
|
5291
|
The law says private property is the result of the general will
[Marx/Engels]
|
|
5294
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To assert themselves as individuals, the proletarians must overthrow the State
[Marx/Engels]
|
|
5292
|
Individuals are mutually hostile unless they group together in competition with other groups
[Marx/Engels]
|
|
5293
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Only in community are people able to cultivate their gifts, and therefore be free
[Marx/Engels]
|
|
21992
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Producing their own subsistence distinguishes men from animals
[Marx/Engels]
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