Bases Quote by Karl Marx
“Darwin's book is very important and serves me as a basis in natural science for the class struggle in history. One has to put up with the crude English method of development, of course. Despite all deficiencies not only is the death-blow dealt here for the first time to 'teleology' in the natural sciences, but their rational meaning is empirically explained.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The German Ideology, 1845
Marx critiques teleology in science, arguing that natural science should be grounded in materialist, not purposive, explanations.
In simple terms: Science should explain phenomena without assuming purpose.
Key Takeaway
Reject purpose-driven explanations in science.
Themes
philosophy
science
materialism
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- science education
- political theory
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Dialectical materialism
critique of teleology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does materialist view change scientific inquiry?
- Can purpose be entirely removed from explanations?
A Different Perspective
Teleological explanations still appear in popular discourse.
