From Idealism to Materialism -G v Plekhanov 1917

8/9/2019 From Idealism to Materialism -G v Plekhanov 1917

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G V Plekhanov 1917

From Idealism to Materialism: Hegel and Left Hegelians David Friedrich

Strauss The Brothers Bruno and Edgar Bauer Feuerbach

Source: Georgi Plekhanov, Selected Philosophical Works, Volume 3 (Progress Publishers,

Moscow, 1976, !! 6""#$3%

&ranscribe': or )he Mar*is) +n)erne) rchive b- Paul .lewers%

Moscow /'i)or0s o)e: 2&his ar)icle was wri))en or The History of Western Literature in theNineteenth Centurywhich was being !re!are' b- Mir Publishers% &he ar)icle was com!le)e' b-

Plekhanov a) )he beginning o 191 an' was !ublishe' in Moscow in 1917 as )he irs) cha!)er o

Volume .our o The History of Western Literature in the Nineteenth Century%0

German i'ealis) !hiloso!h- !la-e' an e*)remel- im!or)an) role in )he his)or- o )he 'evelo!men)

o science in )he nine)een)h cen)ur-% +) ha' an im!ressive im!ac) even on na)ural science% 4u)

incom!arabl- more !owerul was i)s inluence on )hose 2'isci!lines0 which in .rance are calle'

)he moral an' !oli)ical sciences% 5ere )he inluence o German i'ealis) !hiloso!h- mus) berecognise' as 'ecisive in )he ull meaning o )he wor'% +) raise', an' )o some e*)en) solve',

!roblems o which )he solu)ion was absolu)el- im!era)ive i scien)iic inves)iga)ion o )he

!rocess o social 'evelo!men) was )o be !ossible% s an e*am!le, i) is suicien) )o reer )oSchelling0s solu)ion o )he !roblem o )he rela)ionshi! o ree'om )o necessi)- (in his System des

transzendentalen Idealismus, &bingen, 1""% 4u) Schelling was onl- a orerunner8 German

i'ealism oun' i)s mos) com!le)e e*!onen) in )he !erson o Georg ilhelm .rie'rich 5egel%

+) was ui)e na)ural )ha) his inluence shoul' be el) mos) o all in his na)ive lan', German-% 4u)a)er German-, )here was no coun)r- where 5egel0s )eaching ha' such an inluence as i) ha' in

;ussia%


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I

)er )he orcible removal o >hern-shevsk- rom )he li)erar- scene,


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beore our ver- e-es% 5owever, )here is no 'oub) )ha) )he !hiloso!h- o na)ure is )he weakes) !ar)

o 5egel0s s-s)em% 5e is incom!arabl- s)ronger in his 2logic0, in )he 2!hiloso!h- o his)or-0, an'

in )he !hiloso!h- o social lie in general, as well as in )he 2!hiloso!h- o min'0% +) was herees!eciall- )ha) his inluence u!on )he 'evelo!men) o social )hough) in )he nine)een)h cen)ur-

was mos) rui)ul%

&he ollowing, however, shoul' be no)e'% 5egel0s view!oin) was )ha) o 'evelo!men)% 4u)

'evelo!men) ma- be un'ers)oo' variousl-% /ven now )here are na)uralis)s who rei)era)e wi)h anair o im!or)ance: 2a)ure 'oes no) make lea!s%0 Sociologis)s, )oo, reuen)l- sa-: 2Social

'evelo!men) is accom!lishe' )hrough slow, gra'ual changes%0 5egel, on )he con)rar-, airme'

)ha) Fus) as in na)ure so also in his)or-, leaps are ine$itale:

&he changes o 4eing


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)his or )ha) abs)rac) !rinci!le% &his was e*!laine' e*cellen)l- b- >hern-shevsk-% 2/ver-)hing

'e!en's on circums)ances, on con'i)ions o !lace an' )ime0, he wro)e in his(ssays on the #ogol

Period in !ussian Literature, 'escribing )he chie 'is)inguishing ea)ure o )he 'ialec)ical view o!henomena% &his view was es!eciall- er)ile in )he iel' o Fournalism an' in )he social sciences,

in which i) ha' become )he cus)om )o !ronounce Fu'gemen) on !henomena !rocee'ing rom )his

or )ha) abs)rac) !rinci!le, acce!)e' once an' or all% +) was no acci'en) )ha) )he .rench calle')hese sciences 2sciences morales et politi)ues0% +n )he same(ssays, >hern-shevsk- wro)e: 2&here

is no abs)rac) )ru)h8 )ru)h is alwa-s concre)e%0 5e !oin)e' )o war, among o)her )hings, as an

e*am!le:

+s war 'isas)rous or beneicialD &his canno) be answere' 'eini)el-, as a general rule% Ine mus)know wha) kin' o war is mean)%%% .or civilise' !eo!les, war usuall- 'oes more harm )han goo'%

4u)%%% )he war o 11? was a war o salva)ion or )he ;ussian !eo!le% &he 4a))le o Mara)hon was

a mos) beneicial even) in )he his)or- o mankin'%

&ha) is so% n' i )ha) is so, )here is no !oin) in asking which !ar)icular social an' !oli)ical

s)ruc)ure mus) be regar'e' as )he bes)8 surel- here, )oo, ever-)hing 'e!en's u!on )hecircums)ances, u!on )he con'i)ions o !lace an' lime% &hus 5egel0s !hiloso!h- mercilessl-

con'emne' u)o!ianism% !u!il o 5egel, i he remaine' )rue )o his )eacher0s me)ho', coul'become a socialis) onl- i scien)iic inves)iga)ion o )he mo'ern economic s-s)em le' him )o

conclu'e )ha) )he in)ernal laws o 'evelo!men) o )ha) s-s)em woul' bring abou) )he orma)ion o

a socialis) s-s)em% Socialism ha' )o become a science or cease )o e*is)% &his makes i)un'ers)an'able wh- Mar* an' /ngels, )he oun'ers o scien)iic socialism, came !recisel- rom

5egel0s school%

&ake ano)her e*am!le% A4 Sa- consi'ere' i) a was)e o )ime )o s)u'- )he his)or- o !oli)ical

econom-, on )he groun' )ha) beore 'am Smi)h, whose ollower he mis)akenl- )hough) himsel

)o be, all economis)s ha' hel' erroneous views% 5egel, his con)em!orar-, viewe' )he his)or- o!hiloso!h- ui)e 'ieren)l-% &o 5egel, !hiloso!h- was )he sel#knowle'ge o )he s!iri)% Since )he

s!iri) !rogresses, since i) 'evelo!s wi)h )he 'evelo!men) o mankin', !hiloso!h-, )oo, 'oes no)s)an' s)ill% /ach, now 2sur!asse'0 !hiloso!hical s-s)em was )he in)ellec)ual e*!ression o i)s )ime

(seine *eit in #edanken erfasst, an' )his cons)i)u)es i)s rela)ive Fus)iica)ion% 4esi'es, 2)he la)es)

!hiloso!h- in !oin) o )ime is )he resul) o all !rece'ing !hiloso!hies an' conseuen)l- mus)

embrace )he !rinci!les o all o )hem0%


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ver- su!ericiall-8 i) is sai' )ha) each o )he m-ria' as!ec)s o social lie inluences all )he res),

an', in )urn, e*!eriences )he inluence o all o)her as!ec)s on i)sel% &his is )he well#known )heor-

o )he in)erac)ion o social !henomena% 4u) )hough 5egel acce!)e' )his )heor-, he main)aine')ha) we coul' no) s)o! a) i)%

&he ina'euac- o )he me)ho' o e*amining !henomena rom )he !oin) o view o reci!rocalac)ion


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reality, )ha) is )o sa-, all i)s social life% &ha) is a mis)ake, )he origin o which is ui)e

com!rehensible% s an i'ealis), 5egel was convince' )ha) eingis con'i)ione' b- consciousness

an' no) )he o)her wa- roun'% !!l- )his general i'ealis) view )o his)or-, an' -ou will have socialbeing 'e)ermine' b- social consciousness, or, i -ou !reer )he e*!ression, b- )he na)ional s!iri)%

&ha) is wh- 5egel con)en'e' )ha) )he s!iri) o each !ar)icular na)ion 'e)ermines C no)e,

however, only in the final analysisC no) onl- i)s ar), i)s religion, an' i)s !hiloso!h-, )ha) is, no)onl- )he )o)ali)- o i)s i'eologies, bu) also i)s !oli)ical s-s)em an' even i)s )echnolog- an' )he

sum#)o)al o i)s social rela)ionshi!s% 5is error was brough) )o ligh) onl- wi)h )he 'iscover- o )he

unsoun'ness o )he general (idealist basis o his !hiloso!h- an' )hen b- no means a) once%/ver- s)age o )he 'evelo!men) o )he worl' s!iri) is re!resen)e' on )he his)orical scene b- a

se!ara)e na)ion% The present historical epochis )he e!och o #ermancul)ure% ccor'ing )o

5egel, )he na)ion re!resen)ing )he highes) s)age o 'evelo!men) o )he worl' s!iri) is en)i)le' )o

regar' o)her na)ions as mere ins)rumen)s or )he realisa)ion o i)s his)orical aims% &his is wor)hno)ing% + )o'a- )he Germans 'o no) s)an' on ceremon- wi)h )he vanuishe', )here is in )his,

unor)una)el-, a 'ro! o 5egelian hone-%

4u) )he Slav !eo!les coul' no) willingl- acce!) )he hegemon- o )he Germans% Since Schelling0s)ime !ar) o )he in)elligen)sia in )he Slav coun)ries have been busil- occu!ie' wi)h )he ues)ion

o which e*ac) s)age o 'evelo!men) o )he worl' s!iri) )hese !eo!les are a)e' )o re!resen)%

/arlier + sai' )ha) 5egel ha' o)en been accuse' o arbi)raril- arranging facts, his)orical an'

o)hers, in )he in)eres)s of his system% ow + will a'' )ha), as an i'ealis), he coul' no) en)irel-'en- himsel some arbi)rariness in )he )rea)men) o ac)ual 'a)a% 4u) he was much less guil)- in

)his res!ec) )han o)her oun'ers o i'ealis) s-s)ems% &hose who, )hrough ignorance o 5egel0s

!hiloso!h- o his)or-, naivel- believe )ha) in i) 5egel never 'escen'e' )o concre)e his)orical

groun'


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never)heless incon)es)able )ha) so long as 5egel remaine' )rue )o his !owerul 'ialec)ical me)ho'

he was an a'voca)e o !rogress% +n conclu'ing his lec)ures on )he his)or- o !hiloso!h-, he sai'

)ha) )he worl' s!iri) never s)an's s)ill, since orwar' mo)ion is i)s in)ima)e na)ure:

.reuen)l- i) seems )ha) )he worl' s!iri) has orgo))en an' los) i)sel% 4u) insi'e i) resis)s%

+n)ernall- i) con)inues )o labour C as 5amle) sai' o his a)her0s ghos): 2ell sai', ol' moleBcans) work i0 )he groun' so as)D0 C un)il i) ga)hers s)reng)h, an' breaks )hrough )he ear)h0s crus)

se!ara)ing i) rom i)s sun, rom i)s reason% n' )hen )he worl' s!iri) orges ahea' reFuvena)e'wi)h gian) s)ri'es% all )his wha) -ou will, bu) i) is no) )he !hiloso!h- o a guar'ian o )he e*is)ing or'er o )hingsB

s we know, 5egel was accuse' o conserva)ism on )he groun's )ha) he !roclaime' )he i'en)i)-

o )he rationalan' )he real% 4u) in themsel$es, )he wor's 2wha) is real is ra)ional8 wha) is ra)ional

is real0 (J%as %irklich ist1 das ist $ern,nftig2 %as $orn,nftig ist1 das ist %irklich0 are no) anin'ica)ion o 5egel0s rea'iness )o acce!) ever- given social or'er, or, or )ha) ma))er, ever- given

social ins)i)u)ion% &o be convince' o )his, i) will be suicien) )o remember his a))i)u'e )o )hee*cessive !ower o )he a)her in )he ;oman amil-% &o 5egel, no) ever-)hing b- ar )ha) e*is)e'

was real% 5e ac)uall- sai': 2;eali)- is higher than e-istence%0 (J3ie Wirklichkeit steht h4her als

die (-istenz50 &he real is necessar-, while no) all )ha) e*is)s is necessar-% s we have seen, )heworl' s!iri) 'oes no) s)an' s)ill% +)s e)ernal mo)ion, i)s )ireless work, li))le b- li))le 'e!rives )he

given social or'er o i)s essen)ial con)en), )ransorms i) in)o an em!)- orm )ha) has ou)live' i)s

)ime an' )hereore makes necessar- i)s re!lacemen) b- a new or'er% + )he real is ra)ional, i) mus)be remembere' )ha) )he ra)ional is real% 4u) i )he rational is real, i) ollows )ha) )here is no), an'

canno) be an- au)hori)- ca!able o hal)ing i)s !rogressive 'ialec)ical mo)ion% +) was no) or

no)hing )ha) 5egel 'eine' 'ialec)ics as a universal irresis)ible orce which mus) 'es)ro- even)ha) which is mos) s)able%

I!

2/ver-)hing is lui', ever-)hing changes8 one canno) en)er )he same s)ream )wice an' no one

)ouches )he a)al essence )wice%0 So s!oke )he !rooun' ()he 2'ark0 )hinker o /!hesus%


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owing )o m- !ersonali)- in which )he moral law reveals )o me a lie in'e!en'en) o )he worl' o

beas)s, an' even o )he en)ire sensible worl'%

&hus or Lan), as well as or .ich)e, moral law was a kin' o ke- which o!ene' )he 'oor )o )heworl' be-on'% 5egel saw i) ui)e 'ieren)l-% ccor'ing )o his )eaching morali)- is )he inevi)able

!ro'uc) an' necessar- con'i)ion o social lie% 5egel recalls ris)o)le0s sa-ing )ha) )he !eo!lee*is)e' beore )he in'ivi'ual man% &he in'ivi'ual !erson is some)hing 'e!en'en), an' )hereore

mus) e*is) in uni)- wi)h )he whole% To e moral is to li$e according to the morals of one0scountry5.or man )o be given a goo' u!bringing, he ha' )o be ma'e a ci)iHen o a well#or'ere'

s)a)e%


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was righ), an' even more )han his Fu'ges, since he was )he conscious s!okesman o a new an'

higher !rinci!le%

5egel ha' a !osi)ive weakness or )hese 2viola)ors o e*is)ing laws0 an' !oure' scorn on )hoseeru'i)e !s-chologis)s who )rie' )o e*!lain )he ac)ions o grea) his)orical igures b- sel#in)eres)

an' !ersonal mo)ives% 5e )hough) i) was !erec)l- na)ural )ha), i a man is 'evo)e' )o a cause, hiswork or )his cause will bring him, among o)her )hings, !ersonal sa)isac)ion which ma-, !erha!s,

be 'ecom!ose' in)o all )he orms o sel#love% 4u) )o )hink on )hese groun's )ha) grea) his)oricaligures were gui'e' solel- b- !ersonal mo)ives is !ossible onl- or 2!s-chological vale)s0 )o

whom no man is a hero, no) because )here ac)uall- are no heroes, bu) because )hese Fu'ges are

only $alets%

!

5egel0s ethicswas a grea) s)e! orwar' b- !hiloso!h- in )he scien)iic e*!lana)ion o )he moral

'evelo!men) o mankin'% 5is aestheticsis Fus) as grea) a s)e! orwar' in com!rehen'ing )he

essence an' his)or- o ar)% &hrough 4elinsk-, i) e*er)e' an enormous inluence on ;ussiancri)icism, an' even or )his reason alone i)s un'amen)al !ro!osi)ions 'eserve )he grea)es)

a))en)ion o )he ;ussian rea'er%

5egel0s aes)he)ics is akin )o )he views o his neares) !hiloso!hical !re'ecessor, Schelling, on )hisues)ion% Schelling sai' )ha) beau)- is )he infinitee*!resse' in afinite form% n' since )he

!oe)icall- crea)ive an)as- is con'i)ione' b- )he e!ochs o worl' 'evelo!men), ar) is subFec) )o

law#governe' an' necessar- 'evelo!men), )he !or)ra-al (Schelling calle' i) )he designing owhich is )he )ask o aes)he)ics% &o !lace such a )ask beore aes)he)ics was )o !roclaim )he

necessi)- or scien)iic s)u'- o )he his)or- o ar)% I course, )here0s man- a sli! )wi*) )he cu! an'

)he li!% +) is one )hing )oposea cer)ain !roblem8 i) is ui)e ano)her ma))er )osol$ei)% Moreover,

scien)iic !roblems are no) solve' b- 2'esigning0, an' wi)hou) i) i) was ver- 'iicul) or )hei'ealis) !hiloso!hers )o ge) along% 5owever, Schelling 'i' an unorge))able service in correc)l-

!osing )he !roblem%

4esi'es, )o 'eine beau)- as )he e*!ression o )he inini)e in a ini)e orm is )o show )ha) con)en)is no) some)hing o no conseuence in a work o ar), bu) is, on )he con)rar-, o )he grea)es)

im!or)ance% +n an- case, rom Schelling0s !oin) o view, )he con)ra!osing oform to contentwas

voi' o all meaning% Schelling insis)e' )ha)form cannot e-ist %ithout content1 since form isdetermined y content% work o ar) e*is)s onl- or i)s own sake% +n )his lies )he sanc)i)- o ar),

)ha) i)s crea)ions arise, no) or )he sake o an- aims alien )o i) C or e*am!le, sensuous

enFo-men), or economic a'van)age, or )he moral im!rovemen) o man, or his enligh)enmen)%6rt

e-ists for art0ssake% &his i'ea o Schelling0s was re!ea)e' wi)h en)husiasm b- all Schelling0sollowers in general an' our ;ussian ones in !ar)icular% +n a cer)ain sense )he- were absolu)el-

righ)% 5owever, i %orkso ar) are )he ini)e e*!ression o )he infinite, while its e$olutionis

'e)ermine' b- )he e$olution of the %orld, i) is clear )ha) )he ar) o each !ar)icular his)orical e!ochhas as i)s con)en) )ha) which is mos) im!or)an) )o )he !eo!le o )ha) e!och%

Schelling0s basic i'eas on aes)he)ics were s)ill more 'ee!l- !ro!oun'e' an' much more

s-s)ema)icall- elabora)e' b- 5egel%


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e alrea'- know )ha) )hespirit, )o which 5egel is alwa-s a!!ealing as )he inal au)hori)-, is no)

an unchangeable, immobilesustance% +) moves8 i) 'evelo!s8 i) 'iers in i)sel8 i) reveals i)sel in

na)ure, in )he s)a)e, in universal his)or-% &he aimC i) woul' be more e*ac) )o sa- )he fruit 7 oi)s e)ernal mo)ion isself/cognition% +) is or )he s!iri) !recisel- )o cognise i)sel% &his s)riving

)owar's sel#cogni)ion is realise' in )he !rocess o )he s!iri)ual 'evelo!men) o humani)-,

e*!resse' in ar), in religion an' in !hiloso!h-% &he s!iri) reel- contemplatingi)s own essence isfine1 or aesthetic1 art8 )he s!iri) reveren)l- representing)his essence )o i)sel is religion8 las)l-, )he

s!iri), cognising)his essence isphilosophy%

&he 'eini)ion o ar) as )hefree contemplation y the spirit of its o%n essenceis im!or)an)

because i) brings ou) )he com!le)e in'e!en'ence o )he 'omain o ar)is)ic crea)ion an'enFo-men)% ccor'ing )o 5egel, as well as Schelling an' Lan), works o ar) e*is) an' mus) e*is)

no) or )he sake o an- ou)si'e aims:

>on)em!la)ion o )he beau)iul


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)he !hiloso!h- )ha) re!resen)s a s-s)em o absolu)e )ru)h is )he in)ellec)ual e*!ression o )ha)

his)orical !erio' )o which corres!on's an absolu)e social or'er, )ha) is, an or'er serving as )he

obFec)ive realisa)ion o absolu)e )ru)h% n' since absolu)e )ru)h is eternal)ru)h, )he social or'erwhich serves as i)s obFec)ive e*!ression acuires !ermanen) signiicance% >er)ain 'e)ails ma- be

mo'iie' in i), bu) i) canno) be subFec)e' )o essen)ial changes% &ha) is wh-, in )hose ver- lec)ures

on )he his)or- o !hiloso!h- in which 5egel s!eaks en)husias)icall- o )he heroes o an)iui)-who rebelle' agains) )he es)ablishe' or'er, we come u!on an e'i-ing 'iscourse on how, in

mo'ern socie)-, in con)ras) )o an)iui)-, !hiloso!hical ac)ivi)- can an' mus) be res)ric)e' )o )he

internal %orld, since )he e-ternal %orld, )he social s-s)em, has arrive' a) a cer)ain ra)ional or'er,has become 2reconciled %ith itself0%Thus1 %here pre$iously there had een motion in the sphere

of social relations1 too1 no% it must come to an end5&his means )ha), in i)s )eaching on )he

ues)ion o social rela)ions also, 5egel0s absolu)e i'ealism came in)o conlic) wi)h his 'ialec)ical

me)ho'%

n' so 5egel0s !hiloso!h- has )wo si'es: aprogressi$esi'e (closel- boun' u! wi)h his me)ho'

an' a conser$ati$eone (no less closel- linke' wi)h his claim )o !ossession o absolu)e )ru)h%

i)h )he !assing -ears, )he conserva)ive si'e increase' ver- signiican)l- a) )he e*!ense o )he!rogressive% &his is mos) vivi'l- reveale' in hisPhilosophie des !echts% &his celebra)e' work is

a veri)able s)orehouse o !rooun' )hough)% 4u) a) )he same )ime, on almos) ever- !age, )here

s)an's ou) 5egel0s 'esire )o remain a) !eace wi)h )he e*is)ing or'er% +) is remarkable )ha) we even

mee) here )he e*!ression 2peace %ith reality0, so o)en use' b- 4elinsk- in )he !erio' o hisar)icles on )he 4oro'ino nniversar-%


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course o his)orical 'evelo!men)% So long as )he !ulse o !ublic lie in German- was bea)ing

sluggishl-, conserva)ive conclusions, in )he main, were being 'rawn rom 5egel0s !hiloso!hical

)eaching% &ha) was when i) became )he oiciall- recognise' ;o-al Prussian !hiloso!h-% 4u) as)he !ulse o !ublic lie uickene', )he conserva)ive elemen) in 5egel0s !hiloso!h- was !ushe'

more an' more in)o )he backgroun' b- i)s dialectical!rogressive elemen)% +n )he secon' hal o

)he 13"s, one coul' s!eak wi)h com!le)e Fus)iica)ion o a s!li) in )he 5egelian cam!%

+n 13, ;uge an' & /ch)erme-er oun'e' )heHallische 9ahr,cher f,r deutscheWissenschaft und :unst, which, in 1$1, was )ranserre' rom 5alle )o ei!Hig, i)s )i)le being

change' )o3eutsche 9ahr,cher%


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sough) )o !rove )ha) )his irs) Gos!el ha' !rovi'e' )he basis or )he narra)ions o S) Ma))hew an'

S) uke% 4u) i one /vangelis), borrowe' his ma)erial rom ano)her, )here was no)hing )o s)o!

him rom rewri)ing i)% &his shows )ha) in )he Gos!els we are !robabl- 'ealing no) onl- wi)hm-)hs, bu) also wi)h )he !ro'uc)s o )he /vangelis)s0 !ersonal crea)ion% .inall-, )he o!inion was

e*!resse' )ha), in )he !erio' !rece'ing )he a!!earance o >hris) an' )he orma)ion o )he

>hris)ian communi)ies, )he no)ion o )he Messiah was no) so wi'es!rea' in )he Aewish worl' asS)rauss )hough)%

&he mos) resolu)e o all S)rauss0 cri)ics was0runo 0auer(1"9#1?%

+n re!l-ing )o his cri)ics, S)rauss no)e' )ha) )here were now )hree sha'es o o!inion in )he

5egelian school: )he cen)re ha' )wo wings, a righ) an' a le)%


17/39

&o gras! )he !hiloso!hical meaning o )his re!roach an' )hus eluci'a)e )he role o 4auer in )he

his)or- o German 5egelianism a)er 5egel, i) is necessar- )o )ake in)o accoun) )he signiicance

4auer himsel a))ache' )o his 'is!u)e wi)h S)rauss%

I"

+n his view, )his 'is!u)e was one abou)sustanceon )he one han' an'self/consciousnesson )he

o)her% S)rauss, in his e*!lana)ion )ha) )he Gos!els were )he unconscious crea)ion o )he >hris)iancommuni)-, a'here' )o )he !oin) o view osustance% ;eFec)ing )his view!oin) an' !roving )ha)

)he evangelical narra)ives ha' been consciousl- inven)e' b- )he /vangelis)s, 4runo 4auer

!roclaime' himsel a re!resen)a)ive oself/consciousness%

&he ues)ion u!on which he ha' en)ere' in)o con)rovers- wi)h S)rauss was in ac) much wi'er

)han )ha) o )he origin o )he Gos!el s)ories% +) was )he grea) !hiloso!hical an' his)orical ues)ion

o how )he law#governe' course o his)or- in general, an' )he his)or- o )hough) in !ar)icular, is

rela)e' )o )he conscious ac)ivi)- o in'ivi'ual !ersons% &his ues)ion in's i)s com!le)e answer in

)he !ro!osi)ion )ha) )he law#governe' course o his)or- is 'e)ermine' b- )he aggrega)e o )heac)ions o in'ivi'uals an' )ha), in conseuence, i) mus) in no case be consi'ere' in con)ras) )o

law#governe' his)orical mo)ion% &rue, )he conce!) o conformity to la%coinci'es wi)h )heconcept of necessity, whereas )he conscious ac)ivi)- o in'ivi'ual !ersons seems )o )hem no) )o

be governe' b- necessi)-, or, )o use an e*!ression more common in such cases, )o be ree% 4u) i)

seems so )o )hem because, being conscious o )hemselves as )he causeo cer)ain socialha!!enings, )he- are no) conscious o )hemselves as )he conseuence o )ha) social si)ua)ion in

which )heir 'esire )o ac) in a !ar)icular wa- an' no) in some o)her wa- was born% &o ac) reel-

means )o realise one0s aims, an' no) )o be )he ins)rumen) or )he achievemen) o )he aims o

o)hers C )ha) an' no more%Freedomis )he o!!osi)e o compulsion, an' no) a) all o necessity%&he conscious ac)ivi)- o grea) men in ever- !ar)icular his)orical !erio' wasfreein )he sense )ha)

)he- were achieving )heir own an' no) somebo'- else0s i'eals, an' a) )he same )ime i) wasnecessary, because )heir 'ecision )o serve )hese i'eals was con'i)ione' b- all )he !revious courseo social 'evelo!men)% .ur)hermore, even )he mos) ree an' rui)ul ac)ivi)- o in'ivi'uals

alwa-s arouses, b- )he wa-, conseuences which )he- )hemselves ha' no) oreseen a) all% +) is

clear rom even )he irs), su!ericial glance )ha) )hese conseuences can in' )heir e*!lana)iononlyin a cer)ain necessar- law#governe' connec)ion be)ween social !henomena% 4u) no ma))er

how clear all )his ma- be, )he ree ac)ivi)- o in'ivi'ual !ersons all )he same ver- o)en an' C

or cer)ain !s-chological mo)ives C ver- willingl- is con)ras)e' )o )he law#governe' generalcourse o 'evelo!men)% l)hough 5egel0s !hiloso!h- e*!laine' all )he u)ili)- o such an

an)inom-, even )he mos) gi)e' 5egelians, which S)rauss an' 4runo 4auer were wi)hou) an-

'oub), coul' no) alwa-s co!e wi)h i)% S)rauss, in asser)ing )ha) )he Gos!el s)or- arose rom

)ra'i)ion, an' in no) a'mi))ing, a) leas) a) )he beginning, )ha) )here was an- room or )heelabora)ion o )ra'i)ion b- )he crea)ive eor) o in'ivi'ual !ersons, leane' )o one si'e o )he

an)inom-% +n his own 5egelian language 4auer e*!resse' )his b- sa-ing )ha) S)rauss a'here' )o

)he !oin) o view o subs)ance% >i)ing 5egel, 4auer averre' )ha) such an a))i)u'e on S)rauss0 !ar)was a grea) sin agains) !hiloso!h- C o course, 5egelian !hiloso!h- C which reuire' !rogress

romsustance to self/consciousness% 5e was !re!are', !erha!s, )o a'mi) )he righ) o subs)ance,

bu) 'eman'e' )ha) sel#consciousness, )oo, be accor'e' i)s righ)% 2S)rauss0 error0, he sai',2consis)s no) in having brough) in)o mo)ion )ha) common orce, bu) in com!elling i) )o ac)


18/39

'irec)l- rom i)s communi)-%0


19/39

)he ul)ima)e cause o his)orical 'evelo!men), since i) i)sel 'e!en's u!on some unknown an'

hi''en causes% +n reFec)ing reerence )o absolu)e reason, i) was necessar- ei)her )o orge)

al)oge)her )he e*is)ence o )hese causes C an' )hus overlook )he mos) im!or)an) )ask o )hescien)iic e*!lana)ion o )he his)orical !rocess C or )o con)inue )o search or )hem in )he same

'irec)ion in which 5egel a) )imes sough) )hem, )ha) is )o sa-, in )he 'irec)ion o his)orical

ma)erialism% &here coul' be no )hir' roa'% 5owever, 4runo 4auer an' his associa)es a))ache'absolu)el- no value )o 5egel0s e*cursions in)o )he 'omain o )he ma)erialis) e*!lana)ion o

his)or-: )he- sim!l- 'i' no) no)ice )hem% &hereore )he- coul' onl- go back, re)urn )o )he

su!ericial his)orical i'ealism o )he eigh)een)h cen)ur-% &his )he- 'i', when )he- recognise'2o!inion0 as )he mo)ive orce o worl' his)or-%


20/39

reveale' how 'iicul) i) was, in )he mi''le o )he nine)een)h cen)ur-, )o ge) agreemen) be)ween

consis)en) revolu)ionar- )hinking an' i'ealism%

&he !rogramme o 4runo 4auer an' his associa)es remaine' !rogressive onl- so long as i) ke!))he orm o an algebraic ormula% 4u) when i) became necessar- )o re!lace )he algeraic symols

%ith definite arithmetical figures, i) acuire' a 'ubious an' even a 'irec)l- conserva)ivecharac)er% &he 4auer bro)hers were unable )o link u! )he abs)rac) ra'icalism o )heir )hinking

wi)h )he social as!ira)ions o )heir )ime% Prou' o )heir 2critical spirit0, )he- looke' scornull- on)he 2mass0, alien, as )he- )hough), )o all cri)icism, an' consi'ere' harmul an- con)ac) wi)h i)%

&he- u))ere' )he s)range view )ha) all !revious grea) his)orical ac)ions ha' ha' no 'ecisive

success because )he- ha' in)eres)e' an' a))rac)e' )he masses, or, in o)her wor's, because )he i'eain )he name o which )he- were being accom!lishe' ha' )o a!!eal )o )he masses% +n )his regar',

Mar* ma'e )he ver- vali' !oin) )ha) )he 2i'ea0 suere' shameul 'eea) ever- )ime i) se!ara)e'

i)sel rom 2in)eres)0, )ha) is )o sa-, 'i' no) e*!ress )he nee's o socie)- as a whole or o a!ar)icular class%


21/39

e-es o his con)em!oraries8 i) was, irs) o all, monistic, an', secon'l-, monis)ic in an i'ealis)

sense% &he celebra)e' ;oman)icis), ovalis, calle' .ich)e )he new ew)on who ha' 'iscovere'

)he law o )he inner s-s)em o )he worl's%


22/39

sincerel- s)riving% &he conce!)ion o Go' as a !ower be-on' )he worl' !rove' )o be

incom!a)ible wi)h )he )rue charac)er o )he worl' !rocess% &he 5egelians who wishe' )o 'een'

)his conce!)ion C )he righ) wing o )he 5egelian school: Gschel, Marheineke C were movingawa- rom )heir )eacher% /ven )he le) 5egelians were closer )o him C 4runo 4auer, .euerbach,

bo)h o whom ha' broken wi)h religion8 an' s)ill closer )o 5egel were )hose who com!ose' )he

cen)re o )he school: ;osenkranH, Michele) an' S)rauss who incline' )owar's !an)heism%


23/39

)ha) abs)rac) being which is )he !la-)hing o )he i'ealis) !hiloso!hers%Iam a real being% &o m-

essence belongs also m- bo'-% More )han )ha), m- bo'-, seen in i)s )o)ali)-, is m- )rue essence8 i)

is wha) com!oses m- ego% &he !rocess o )hinking )akes !lace no) in some abs)rac) being, bu)!recisel- in m-, )h-, his bo'-% &hinking, consciousness, is bu) a !re'ica)e o )he real being, a

!ro!er)- o being% 4eing !rece'es )hinking (Jdas Sein geht dem 3enken $orher0% n' i) is no)

)hinking )ha) 'e)ermines being8 i) is being )ha) 'e)ermines )hinking%

+n conormi)- wi)h all )his, .euerbach es)ablishes hisca)egorical im!era)ive: 2&hink no) as a)hinker, bu) as a living, real being, in which ca!aci)- -ou breas) )he waves o )he worl' sea%0

.euerbach airme' )ha) onl- his )heor- o egoan' turesolves )ha) an)inom- o s!iri) an' ma))er

wi)h which nei)her Schelling nor 5egel coul' co!e% 2ha) or me, or subFec)ivel-, is a !urel-s!iri)ual, non#ma)erial, non#sensuous ac), is in i)sel, obFec)ivel-, a ma)erial, sensuous ac)%0

ei)her si'e o )he an)inom- is elimina)e' here8 an' here is reveale' )he )rue uni)- o )hese si'es%


24/39

+n )he 'is!u)e be)ween ma)erialism an' s!iri)ualism%%% )he ues)ion a) issue is )he human min'%%%

Ince we know )he ma))er o which )he brain is com!ose', we shall uickl- reach a clear

un'ers)an'ing concerning all o)her ma))er, concerning ma))er in general%


25/39


26/39

&erminolog- o )his kin' ha' i)s grea) inconveniences% &o !ronounce Go' )o be an illusion, an'

)hen )o sa- )ha) man is Go' is reall- )an)amoun) )o )ransorming man himsel in)o an illusion% )

)his !oin) .euerbach himsel go) involve' in a con)ra'ic)ion% +n 'eclaring 2Meine ;eligion Ckeine ;eligion0


27/39

+) mus) be a'mi))e' )ha) here )he )rue essence o )he ma))er is brough) ou) as)onishingl- well,

even be))er )han in )he remark we uo)e' above, which Mar* a''resse' )o 2)he 5ol- .amil-0 o

)he 4auers, )ha) )he i'ea suere' shameul 'eea) wherever i) 'iverge' rom in)eres)%

ha) )he moral rules o )his )errible man were, who rom his earlies) -ears 'i' no) believe in )he

immor)ali)- o )he soul an' base' his morali)- u!on a ma)erialis) oun'a)ion, ma- be seen,inci'en)all-, rom )he ollowing moral rule o his:

Inrelation to oneself, one canno) be idealistenough making i'ealis) 'eman's o )he will,2ca)egorical im!era)ives0, bu) inrelation to others, wi)h )he e*ce!)ion o cer)ain cases which are

e*)remel- 'iicul) )o 'eine, one canno) be materialistenough8 in rela)ion )o onesel, one canno)

be a s)oic enough, in rela)ion )o o)hers C /!icurean enough%


28/39

in's )he mos) varie' e*!ressions C rom verbal re!roach )o blows% >onscience is no) some)hing

inborn in man8 he has )o acuire i) b- e'uca)ion, in which e*am!le has i)s !ar) )o !la-% 2 man

'oes wi)h an eas- conscience )ha) which he sees o)hers 'o an' a!!rove0, sai' .euerbach, 2his!aren)s, )hose o his age an' es)a)e, his coun)r-men%0


29/39

+n )his res!ec) )here was an immeasurable 'ierence be)ween him an' 4runo 4auer, who en'e'

his lie in )he ranks o reac)ion%

"!

s in morals, so also in !oli)ics, as well as in )he social iel', .euerbach ui)e consciousl- linke'his radicalismwi)h his materialism% 5e wro)e:

+ 'o no) un'ers)an' how )he i'ealis) or )he s!iri)ualis), a) leas) one who is consis)en), can makee*)ernal !oli)ical ree'om )he aim o his !rac)ical ac)ivi)-% S!iri)ual ree'om is enough or )he

s!iri)ualis)%%% .rom )he s!iri)ualis) !oin) o view, !oli)ical ree'om is ma)erialism in )he iel' o

!oli)ics%%% .or )he s!iri)ualis), ree'om in )hough) is suicien)%


30/39


31/39

Molescho)) rom )he s)an'!oin) o correc) )heor-%


32/39

revolu)ionar- !erio', rom some o )heir ;oman)icis) conce!)ions% +) is !robable )ha) 5eine wro)e

his 2ew Song0 un'er )he inluence o .euerbach:

/in neues ie', ein besseres ie',I .reun'e, will ich euch 'ich)en:

ir wollen hier au /r'en schonEas 5immelreich errich)en onseuen)l-, onl- in ar) 'oes )hisessence in' an e*!ression in images ree rom sel#'ece!)ion% ll )he more reason wh- i) shoul'

be value'%

.ur)hermore, or )he ar)is) who hol's )he view!oin) o )he new !hiloso!h-, )here is no being

higher )han man% 4u) in man na)ure recognises i)sel% The human spirit is the self/consciousnessof nature% &hereore )he i'ealis) o!!osing o na)ure )o s!iri) is u))erl- unoun'e', an' mus) cease

in ar) no less )han in !hiloso!h-%

.euerbach0s !u!ils were rea'- )o re!roach 2s!ecula)ive aes)he)ics0 or no) )rium!han)l- enough

!roclaiming )he in'e!en'ence o ar)% So highl- 'i' )he- value )ha) in'e!en'enceB 5owever, )he-

)hemselves gave a more vivi' an' e*ac) ormula)ion o )he i'ea )he- ha' inheri)e' roms!ecula)ive aes)he)ics, )ha) orm is 'e)ermine' b- con)en)% +n )he ar)icle 2Gegen 'ie s!ekula)ive

es)he)ik0, 5ermann 5e))ner C subseuen)l- )he au)hor o a well#known his)or- o li)era)ure in)he eigh)een)h cen)ur- C s)rove )o 'emons)ra)e )ha) no ma))er how im!or)an)formma- be in

works o ar), i) lives onl- ecause of its contentan' wi)hou) )his i) 'ies, becomes ormal an'

abs)rac)%


33/39


34/39

.2-Rechtsphilosophie' ) .3' #ote-

.>- 4ccordingl$' Hegel calls the beautiful the sensuous 'anifestation of the idea-

.1- His o*n e()ression-

.=- See his %orlesungen &ber die Aesthetik' %art .' )) 0.>9.1 and %art 0' )) 0.>933- It *ould be instructive to com)are *hat Hegel sa$s there *ith *hat

Fromentin sa$s of the character and origin of the Dutch school in his famous

boo&Les 'a(tres d)autrefois- Fromentin,s basic idea is that Dutch )ainting *as a)ortra$al of the Dutch bourgeoisie at a certain stage of its develo)ment' and this

full$ coincides *ith Hegel,s vie*-

0A- The vie* of the Bible stories as m$ths had been e()ressed alread$ b$

Schelling: +/hrist,' he said' +is an historical )ersonalit$ *hose biogra)h$ had

alread$ been *ritten before he *as born-, 6/uno Fischer'Schelling6St%etersburg8' ) >218

0.- It *as Hegel *ho said that man' having discovered the intellect hiddeninrealit$' does not rebel against realit$' but ma&es )eace *ith it and reoices in it-

00- arl Ba$rhoffer'*ie +deen und Geschichte der Philosophie6Lei)Cig' .1318' ))503905-

03- Ibid' ) 505-

05- Ibid' ) 50-

0- The full title of this ournal *as*eutsche ,ahrb&cher f&r Wissenschaft und-unst Editor-

02- See*as Leben ,esu. f&r das deutsche %olk bearbeitet /on *a/id0FriedrichStrauss' Third Edition' )) .A95- There is a ussian translation b$ MSin$avs&$' edited b$ #M #i&ols&$' in t*o volumes 6Mosco*' .=A>8-

0>- See his interesting article +!erschiedene ichtungen innerhalb derHegel,schen Schule in Betreff der /hristologie, in the collectionStreitschriften1ur %erteidigung 'einer Schrift &ber das Leben ,esu und 1ur harakteristik dergegenwrtigen $heologie;,the !arious Trends in the Hegelian School in elationto /hrist, in the collectionPole'ical Works *edicated to the *efence of #y Life of

,esus and the haracterisation of onte'porary $heology?-


35/39

01- He *as then an assistant )rofessor at Bonn-

0=--ritik der e/angelischen Geschichte der Synoptiker' Second Edition 6Lei)Cig'.1528' !olume .' %reface' ) vii-

3A- %le&hanov refers here to Mar(,s criticism of Bruno Bauer in $he 2olyFa'ily- See arl Mar( and Frederic& Engels' ollected Works' !olume 56Mosco*' .=>8' )) 3=95A et se! Editor-

3.-*ie gute Sache der Freiheit und 'eine eigene Angelegenheit6G7rich8-

30-*er Streit der -ritik 'it -irche und Staat6Berne' .1558' ) .15-

33- See ibid' ) .1 also his *or&3runo 3auer und seine Gegner6Berlin' .1508')) 1=9=A-

35- Der /hara&ter unserer Geit ist die evolution,' see3runo 3auer und seineGegner' o) cit' ) -

3-*ie gute Sache---' ) 0A.-

32- See*ie heilige Fa'ilie. oder -ritik der kritischen -ritik-Gegen 3runo 3auerund -onsorten- ;arl Mar( and Frederic& Engels' ollected Works' !olume 56Mosco*' .=>8' ) 1. Editor-?

3>- Science also strives to*ards monism- ne of the most brilliant re)resentativesof science in modern times' #e*ton' *as attracted to it-

31- Ha$m' $he Ro'antic School' ussian translation b$ I #evedoms&$ 6Mosco*'.1=.8' ) 3.>-

3=- #ovalis, )hrase see E S)enlJ'4o/alis6%aris' .=A58' ) .33' also Ha$m' o) cit') 305-

5A- Later Strauss became a materialist' and did not hesitate to e()ress his ne*

vie*s in the *or&*er alte und der neue Glaube-Ein 3ekenntnis- It had animmense success- But this occurred much later: the boo& ust mentioneda))eared in ctober .1>0-

5.- Feuerbach,s4achgelassene Aphoris'en' Werke' !olume .A 6ne* edition'Stuttgart' .=..8' ) 3.1-


36/39

50- !orlKufige Thesen Cur eform der %hiloso)hie,' Werke' !olume 0 6the sameedition8' ) 03=-

53- #icht Ich' nein Ich und Du' Sube&t und be&t' unterschieden und doch

unCertrennlich verbunden' ist das *ahre %rinci) des Den&ens und Lebens' der

%hiloso)hie und der %h$siologie 65ber Spiritualis'us und #aterialis'us'Feuerbach,s Werke' !olume .A' ne* edition8- ;#ot I' no I and Thou' subect andobect' distinct $et indissolubl$ connected this is the true )rinci)le of thin&ing

and life' of )hiloso)h$ and )h$siolog$-?

55- Das be&t ist--- f7r uns nicht nur


37/39

materialist basis of these vie*s- This *as the case originall$ *ith HerCen too 6see

m$ article +The %hiloso)hical !ie*s of 4I HerCen, in onte'porary World' .=.0'Boo&s 3 and 58-

.- Werke' !olume .A' ) ..-

0- Italics in the original-

3- Werke' !olume .A' )) 3.9.2- 4gain the italics are in the original-

5- Werke' !olume .A' ) 0=.-

- The self9sacrificing $oung men and *omen of the ussian educated classes

*ho in those $ears' seeing the miser$ of the )easantr$ follo*ing the end of

serfdom in .12.' began the movement &no*n as +going to the )eo)le, Editor-

2- Werke' !olume .A' )) 02=9>A-

>- ,theogonie,' Feuerbach6s Werke' !olume =' ) .2= 6I have onl$ the .1> editionof this volume b$ me at the moment8-

1- Werke' !olume .A' )) 02=9>A-

=- L Feuerbach,s3riefwechsel und 4achlass' !olume 0' ) 3.>- This argument ofFeuerbach,s is almost *ord for *ord re)eated in /hern$shevs&$,s article +The

4nthro)ological %rinci)le, mentioned above and in his novel What +s $o 3e*one7-

2A-3riefwechsel und 4achlass' !olume 0' ) 301-

2.- Feuerbach,s actual *ords are +eine %hiloso)hie meine %hiloso)hie,

6S''tliche Werke' !olume 0' .152' ) 5.58 Editor-

20- arl Mar( and Frederic& Engels' ollected Works' !olume 6Mosco*' .=>28') 3 Editor-

23- See the cha)ter +riti& des Idealismus, in the *or&Spiritualis'us und#aterialis'us-

25- I thin& it m$ dut$ to sa$ that in m$ )am)hlet Funda'ental Proble's of#ar8is'the relationshi) bet*een Mar( and Feuerbach is )resented not uiteli&e this as far as the uestion of method is concerned- I thin& I have no*

e()lained this relationshi) more correctl$-


38/39

2- arl Mar( and Frederic& Engels' ollected Works' !olume 6Mosco*' .=>28') 3 Editor-

22- L Feuerbach,s3riefwechsel und 4achlass' !olume 0' ) 3A1- ;/om)are the)assage in Mar( and Engels'Selected Works' !olume 0 6Mosco*' .=18' ) 3>2 Editor-?

2>- $heogonie' )) 01A91.- Feuerbach ma&es there the stri&ing remar& that asdistinct from man' nature does not &no* the difference bet*een +&Onnen und

m7ssen, ;can and must?-

21- %erha)s an even more vivid e()ression of Feuerbach,s true attitude to the

natural9scientific materialism is his letter to < BKuerle of 3. Ma$ .12> 64achlass'!olume 0' )) .1>9118- Feuerbach sa$s there: +For me' as for $ou' man is a being

of nature' originating in nature but the main subect of m$ investigations are

those ideas and fantastic beings originating in man *hich in the o)inions andtraditions of man&ind are acce)ted as real beings-, It goes *ithout sa$ing that

Feuerbach could not have studied thissubect *hile confining himself to the)oint of vie* of biology-

2=- For e(am)le' in the article +#atur*issenschaft und die evolution, *ritten in

connection *ith the )ublication of Moleschott,s boo&*ie Lehre der4ahrungs'ittel-F&r das %olk6Erlangen' .1A8-

>A- It is interesting that /hern$shevs&$' the ussian student of Feuerbach' also

declared his disagreement *ith Moleschott but neither did he reach historicalmaterialism-

>.- ,true socialism, a trend *hich e(isted among the 95A Editor?' *hich a))eared recentl$ in*oku'ente des So1ialis'us' )ublished b$ EdBernstein' Pul$ and 4ugust .=A3' and Ma$' Pune' Pul$' 4ugust and Se)tember

.=A5- I should li&e also to )oint out that there is a cha)ter on Ma( Stirner in m$

)am)hlet on anarchism and socialism 6a ussian translation has been )ublished

b$ Mme Mal$&h8-


39/39

>3-

Documents

From Idealism to Materialism -G v Plekhanov 1917