Full Idea
In the Marxist formula 'social existence determines consciousness' there are more contradictions than words. Since 'social' can only exist in human minds, 'social existence' is already consciousness. It cannot determine consciousness, which is undefined.
Gist of Idea
'Society determines consciousness' is contradictory; society only exists in minds
Source
comment on K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846]) by Simone Weil - Fragments p.126
Book Reference
Weil,Simone: 'Oppression and Liberty' [Routledge 1955], p.126
A Reaction
I'm not convinced that society only exists in minds. Many children in Victorian London had never heard of 'London', but that didn't stop it existing. Our problems are often social substrata of which we are unaware.
Related Idea
Idea 5277 Life is not determined by consciousness, but consciousness by life [Marx/Engels]