Basic Principles of Marxist Philosophy

Author: Chief Editor: Feng Zhuguang et al
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-14
Features: Brief Introduction The book is divided into four parts. The first part consists of two assessment tests designed to evaluate the reader's current English proficiency, along with annotations and answers. The second part systematically summarizes English syntax and morphology in a concise and easy-to-understand tabular form, focusing on language points frequently tested in exams but difficult for students to grasp or locate, including fixed collocations, idiomatic expressions, and distinctions between easily confused words. The third part contains ten mock tests (vocabulary, grammar structure, and cloze). The fourth part provides annotations and answers. This book is exam-oriented, combining theory and practice, with clear emphasis and easy-to-find content, making it an ideal preparation guide for college English proficiency and CET candidates. It is also a valuable reference for overseas students, postgraduate students, TOEFL test-takers, and other individuals seeking career advancement. Excerpt: Chapter Introduction True philosophy is the essence of the spirit of the age, accumulating the wisdom of various civilizations. Marxist philosophy inherits the achievements of previous scientific and philosophical developments, serving as a scientific worldview and methodology, the theoretical foundation of all Marxist doctrines, and a powerful ideological weapon for correctly understanding and transforming the world. Therefore, studying philosophy, especially systematically learning Marxist philosophy, is of vast and profound significance for enhancing the theoretical thinking ability of the Chinese nation, broadening people's scientific and cultural horizons, establishing a correct worldview and life philosophy, mastering scientific methodology, promoting people's conscious adherence to the line, principles, and policies since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, upholding the Four Cardinal Principles and the practice of reform and opening up, building socialism with Chinese characteristics, and advancing the development of China's postal and telecommunications industry. Section Philosophy and the Fundamental Questions of Philosophy To study philosophy, one must first reach a consensus on its general issues. A correct understanding of what philosophy is and what its fundamental questions are is essential. I. Philosophy as a Theoretical and Systematized Worldview As an ancient cultural phenomenon, philosophy has a history spanning thousands of years. Philosophical thought emerged in primitive society and gradually developed into systematic theories by the time of the slave society. However, on the question of what philosophy is, different eras and philosophers have had varying views, with no unified consensus. The word "philosophy" originates from the ancient Greek "φιλοσοφ?α," meaning "love of wisdom" or the study of wisdom. In ancient India, philosophy was often referred to as "darshana" or "veda," meaning "insight," "thought," or "viewpoint." In ancient China, the term "zhe ren" (wise person) was used, with the saying "zhi ren zhe zhe" (know people, know the wise) and the definition "zhe, zhi also." Thus, philosophy is often described as the study that imparts wisdom and sharpens intellect. However, understanding the word's meaning does not equate to scientifically defining philosophy. After the emergence of Marxist philosophy, it was summarized as a theoretical system of worldview or a theoretical and systematic worldview. A worldview refers to people's overall perspective or fundamental views on the entire world. Since the dawn of human society, people have constantly interacted with their surroundings for survival and development. To understand and transform nature and society, people have gradually formed various perspectives on nature, social history, and life. Fundamental views on natural phenomena belong to natural philosophy; fundamental views on social and historical phenomena and their essence belong to social and historical philosophy; and fundamental views on the purpose, meaning, and value of life belong to life philosophy. Through social life practice, people gradually integrate and generalize their views on nature, society, and other aspects, forming a comprehensive and fundamental perspective on the entire world, i.e., a worldview. For example: What is the nature of the world? What state is the world in? What are the laws and driving forces of the movement, change, and development of things? Can the world be known by people? Can people transform the objective world? What are the laws of social development? Etc.