Principles of Marxist Philosophy

Author: Chen Xian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This textbook, Principles of Marxist Philosophy, is provided for the Marxist theory course (public course) in ordinary higher education institutions. Its purpose is to help college students learn, understand, and grasp the basic viewpoints of Marxist philosophy, and through the study of Marxist philosophy, to establish the political belief of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Marxist philosophy is dialectical materialism and historical materialism. It is a theoretical system based on the scientific concept of practice, unifying materialism with dialectics, materialist outlook on nature with materialist outlook on history. This textbook emphasizes the role and significance of the concept of practice in Marxist philosophy, because without understanding the concept of practice, one cannot grasp the spiritual essence and revolutionary transformation of Marxist philosophy. At the same time, it emphasizes adhering to the principles of dialectical materialism in the concept of practice, because without dialectical materialism, it is impossible to distinguish Marxist practice from idealist practice, pragmatism, and narrow empiricism. Therefore, the guiding principle of this textbook is to accurately elaborate the concept of practice and the relationship between humans and the world, and to concisely and briefly explain the basic viewpoints of Marxist philosophy while grasping its spiritual essence. The scientific system and teaching system of Marxist philosophy are interconnected yet distinct. The teaching system focuses on explaining the basic viewpoints of this discipline, which must be based on the scientific system of the discipline while also conforming to the laws of cognitive psychology and educational psychology. This textbook is based on the scientific system of Marxist philosophy while fully considering the requirements of teaching practice in Marxist philosophy, and strives to provide a Marxist philosophy textbook that conforms to the laws of cognitive psychology and educational psychology, thereby reproducing the basic viewpoints and internal connections of Marxist philosophy. This textbook is a revised edition of Principles of Marxist Philosophy published in 1999. Both in content and form, it has undergone significant adjustments and revisions, with an effort to improve. The main basis for revision is the newly promulgated Basic Requirements for Teaching Marxist Philosophy in Ordinary Higher Education Institutions in China (2003), issued by the Ministry of Education, while also considering the requirements of the 2003 National Master of Arts Entrance Examination Syllabus for Political Theory. It aims to integrate the two. During the revision, we have fully taken into account the valuable suggestions from teachers and experts in Marxist theory courses, striving to make this textbook more teachers and students, and adaptable to teaching practice. This textbook is a product of collective collaboration. This revision was jointly undertaken by Chen Xian, Yang Geng, and Chen Zhiliang. In addition to Chen Xian, Yang Geng, and Chen Zhiliang, the original authors also included Wang Ji, Yang Yanjun, Hao Lixin, and Liu Jianjun. This book was reviewed and approved by the Department of Social Sciences Research and Ideological and Political Work of the Ministry of Education. Professor Yang Ruisen, Vice Chairman of the Teaching Guidance Committee for Marxist Theory Courses in Higher Education Institutions of the Ministry of Education, and Professor Ye Dunping of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a member of the Teaching Guidance Committee for Marxist Theory Courses in Higher Education Institutions of the Ministry of Education, were commissioned by the Department of Social Sciences Research and Ideological and Political Work of the Ministry of Education to review this textbook and provide valuable suggestions. Professor He Yaomin, President of the China Renmin University of Political Science and Law, has been very concerned with the progress of this textbook. The chief editors, Yu Xueming and Li Yanhui, have put in a lot of hard work for the publication of this textbook. We extend our sincere gratitude to them all. Due to the limited level and urgency of time of the revisers, this textbook undoubtedly has shortcomings and imperfections. We sincerely welcome criticism and suggestions from all sides, with the hope of improving and enhancing this textbook. Chen Xian, Yang Geng April 2003, at Renmin University of China
The textbook presented to the readers is the revised edition of Principles of Marxist Philosophy, a recommended teaching material for the "two courses" in ordinary higher education institutions in China. Since its publication in June 2003, Principles of Marxist Philosophy has been widely welcomed by college teachers and students for its clear viewpoints, emphasis on key points, clear logic, and concise language. At the same time, teaching practice in Marxist philosophy has also shown that Principles of Marxist Philosophy has shortcomings, and some important theoretical viewpoints need to be explained more deeply and comprehensively, some important theoretical viewpoints need to be reflected on and supplemented. Especially with the proposal of truth-seeking pragmatism, people-centered development, and scientific development, our theoretical vision has been expanded, and the innovative spirit they contain inspires us to understand and explain Marxist philosophy from a new height. Therefore, we have decided to revise Principles of Marxist Philosophy and present the second edition to the readers. The second edition still names Marxist philosophy as dialectical materialism and historical materialism, while also incorporating the concept of practice throughout dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and strives to reflect the new achievements of the sinicization of Marxist philosophy. The second edition does not change the overall framework of the first edition but makes significant adjustments, revisions, and supplements to some specific chapters: the content of "The Great Transformation in the History of Philosophy" in Chapter 1 and "The Concentrated Manifestation of Marxist Materialism: Lenin's Definition of Matter" in Chapter 2 has been adjusted; the content of "Purpose Achieved Through Means" in Chapter 3, "The Law of the Unity of Opposites is the Essence and Core of Dialectics" in Chapter 4, and "The Social Practice Essence" and "The Relative Independence and Function of Cultural Structure" in Chapter 6 have been revised; the content of "V. The Unity of the World Lies in Its Materiality. The Philosophical Basis of Seeking Truth from Facts" in Chapter 2, "I. The World Is in Constant Connection and Eternal Development. Dialectics Is the Theory of Constant Connection and Eternal Development" in Chapter 4, and "III. Free and Comprehensive Development of Humanity and Its Realization. Promoting the Comprehensive Development of Humanity Is the Essential Requirement of Marxism for Building a New Socialist Society" in Chapter 8 has been supplemented, adding content on the relationship between truth-seeking pragmatism and seeking truth from facts, the relationship between scientific development and development, and the importance of people-centered development as a key principle of historical materialism. In addition, we have made some technical modifications. This revision was undertaken by Chen Xian and Yang Geng. During the revision process, we strived to maintain and carry forward the strengths of the first edition while overcoming and making up for its shortcomings and imperfections, with the hope of continuously improving Principles of Marxist Philosophy. Striving for perfection is the character that scholars should possess.