Single Idea 5287

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 6. Physicalism]

Full Idea

Every profound philosophical problem is resolved quite simply into an empirical fact.

Gist of Idea

Philosophical problems are resolved into empirical facts

Source

K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846], §1.B)

Book Reference

Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The German Ideology', ed/tr. Arthur,C.J. [Lawrence and Wishart 1985], p.62


A Reaction

This shows that empirical accounts of metaphysics are not just a branch of British empiricism, but are a basic fact of any materialist view of the world. The influence of David Hume, however, hovers behind this Marxist doctrine.