MARXISM AND CHARLES DARWIN
In: The journal of politics: JOP, Band 23, Heft 1, S. 108-126
ISSN: 0022-3816
A discussion of: (1) What opinion did Marx & some of his followers have of Darwin's work? (2) What influence did Darwin's work have on Marxism? & (3) What is the logical relation between Darwin's work & Marxism? Marxists argued that their view of soc change through class struggle was confirmed by Darwin, but to seek support & confirmation is not necessarily admitting influence; Marx & Engels & others had favourable opinions on Darwin's biological theory but Soc Darwinism ('merging biology with soc sci') came under strong criticism from Marxist thinkers. The Marxists see the logical relations of the 2 theories as the relations of similarity & confirmation but the actual relations show that Marx's position & orientation is altogether diff from Darwin's. Marx missed the key human point in Darwinism & failed to see alternate soc possibilities because he could only see forces & modes of production & their mythical efficiency. IPSA.