Anti-Dühring - Classic Text | Alexandria
Anti-Dühring: A Critique of Modern Theory
Anti-Dühring, formally titled "Herr Eugen Dühring's Revolution in Science," stands as one of Friedrich Engels' most comprehensive and influential works, published serially between 1877 and 1878 in the German Social Democratic Party's newspaper Vorwärts, before appearing as a book in 1878. The text emerged as a systematic critique of the philosophical and economic theories of Eugen Dühring, a German philosopher whose ideas were gaining prominence among European socialists at the time.
The work's origins can be traced to the turbulent intellectual climate of late 19th-century Germany, where various competing theories of socialism and social progress vied for influence. Engels, urged by Wilhelm Liebknecht and other German socialists, undertook this massive project to counter Dühring's growing influence, which they perceived as a threat to Marxist theory. Notably, Karl Marx himself contributed to the economic sections, particularly the chapter on political economy, making Anti-Dühring a collaborative effort that would become foundational to Marxist literature.
The text's scope extends far beyond a mere polemic against Dühring, evolving into a comprehensive exposition of Marxist philosophy, political economy, and scientific socialism. Through its three main sections - philosophy, political economy, and socialism - Engels develops a dialectical materialist approach to understanding nature, society, and human thought. The work's enduring significance lies in its accessible presentation of complex Marxist concepts, with several sections later extracted and published separately as "Socialism: Utopian and Scientific," which became one of the most widely read socialist texts of its time.
Anti-Dühring's legacy continues to resonate in contemporary political and philosophical discourse. Its systematic defense of historical materialism and critique of metaphysical thinking has influenced generations of socialist thinkers and activists. The text's exploration of dialectics in nature and society remains relevant to modern debates about social change and scientific understanding, while its methodological approach to critique continues to inform academic and political analysis. In an era of renewed interest in socialist theory, Anti-Dühring stands as a testament to the power of systematic critique and the enduring relevance of materialist analysis in understanding social transformation.