"Classes struggle, some classes triumph, others are eliminated. Such is history. To interpret history from this viewpoint is historical materialism; standing in opposition to this viewpoint is historical idealism."
—Mao Tse-tung, Cast Away Illusions, Prepare for Struggle (1949)
—Mao Tse-tung, Cast Away Illusions, Prepare for Struggle (1949)
Historical materialism is an idea from Karl Marx that the way societies are organized results from material conditions (e.g., economic forces) rather than ideals. Interesting considering the power of this very idea has had on the course of many societies marxists.org/reference/arch…
Mao's quote suggests that one has the ability to oppose his claim of historical materialism ("stand against"). Which means he believed ideals do in fact play some role in human affairs. Undermines his own ideology
If human fate is predetermined by material circumstances, then we should all still be living in caves
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