Animal kingdom Quote by Friedrich Engels
““Darwin did not know what a bitter satire he wrote on mankind ... when he showed that free competition, the struggle for existence, which the economists celebrate as the highest historical achievement, is the normal state of the animal kingdom. Only conscious organization of social production, in which production and distribution are carried on in a planned way, can lift mankind above the rest of the animal.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Condition of the Working Class in England, 1845
Engels argues that unplanned free competition keeps humanity in a primitive animal state; only conscious, planned social production can elevate humanity.
In simple terms: Free competition is primitive; planned production can uplift humanity.
Key Takeaway
Adopt cooperative, planned economic systems.
Themes
economics
social organization
human nature
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- labor policy
- community development
- economic reform
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Marxism
collectivism
social planning
Questions to Reflect On
- Can planned production coexist with personal liberty?
- What safeguards prevent bureaucratic oppression?
A Different Perspective
Planned economies may limit individual freedoms and innovation.
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