Principles of Marxist Philosophy (Second Edition)

Author: Chen Xian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: The textbook presented to the readers is the revised edition of "Principles of Marxist Philosophy," a recommended teaching material for "Two Courses" in ordinary universities nationwide. Since its publication in June 2003, "Principles of Marxist Philosophy" has been widely welcomed by university teachers and students for its clear viewpoints, prominent key points, logical clarity, and concise language. At the same time, teaching practices in Marxist philosophy have also shown that "Principles of Marxist Philosophy" indeed has shortcomings, and some important theoretical viewpoints need deeper and more comprehensive elaboration, while others require reflection and supplementation. Especially with the proposal of truth-seeking pragmatism, people-centered development, and the scientific outlook on development, our theoretical horizons have been expanded, and the innovative spirit they embody inspires us to understand and elaborate Marxist philosophy from new heights. Therefore, we 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 emphasizing the perspective of practice throughout both dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and strives to reflect the latest achievements in the Sinicization of Marxist philosophy. The second edition retains the overall framework of the first edition but makes significant adjustments, modifications, and supplements to some specific chapters: the content of "The Great Revolution 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 as 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 has been modified; 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 scientific outlook on development and development, and the people-centered approach as an important principle of historical materialism. Additionally, 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 enhance the strengths of the first edition while overcoming and addressing its weaknesses, with the aim of continuously improving "Principles of Marxist Philosophy." Pursuing perfection is the character a scholar should possess.