ISO EDUCATION FOR SOCIALISM SERIES

No. 2: An Introduction to Marxist Philosophy:

Materialism: Origins of the Universe and human
beings
Facilitator: M. Gwisai, Unpublished, 2011, revised September 2020

Sources and References:

Summary and adaption of;
- Nikitin P.I. The Fundamentals of Political Economy, (Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1983), CAP I;
- Garlake P & Proctor A, People Making History Bk. 1 (ZPH Publishers, Harare, 1985) CAPS 3,4, 5;
- Chernikov G.P. et al, Fundamentals of Scientific Socialism, (Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1988)
- Harman C, A People’s History of the World: From the Stone Age to the New Millennium (Verso,
2017).

What is Materialism?
1. To recall what we covered in Lecture No. 1, materialism may be defined as the camp
of philosophy which regards matter as primary and consciousness as secondary and as a
derivative of matter. Materialists maintain that matter is eternal, that none had ever created
it and that there are no supernatural forces in the world.
2. Materialists have been found in every society in the world that had advanced beyond
the Barbarism stage of primitive communism into civilisation.
a. Heraclitus - [Greek Philosopher,500BC]: “…the world, the all-in-one, was not
created by any god or any man, but was, is and ever will be a living flame
systematically dying down.”1

Big Bang Theory

3. As regards the origin of the universe, the most prominent scientific explanation for
the origins of the universe is the Big Bang Theory.
4. This theory states that the universe was not always there but emerged about 13.8
billion years ago. As far as science can currently explain, the universe started as a
singular, small originating particle existing under conditions of very high density and
high temperature, dense superforce. From this singular particle there was an initial
expansion or implosion, the big bang, from which further sub-particles were formed,
(protons, neutrons and electrons.) Over time in a process of large-scale evolution
there was cooling of the universe and coalescing of the sub-particles to form atoms.
These formed the basis of matter and the universe. Eventually from these were
formed larger entities like stars, galaxies and planets, including our planet, Earth. 2
5. By 1945 human science finally developed to the point of simulating this original
process of establishment of matter by the reverse process of splitting the atom into its
composite sub-particles and thereby creating the most powerful form of energy ever
1
Heraclitus, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2007), plato.stanford.edu/entries/Heraclitus.
2
Source - Wikipedia.
 known - nuclear energy and the atomic bomb. This break-through is credited to
German - American scientist Albert Einstein and his famous theory of relativity, E =
mc2. [meaning that mass and energy are the same physical entity and can be changed
into each other.]

Life on Earth and Theory of Evolution

6. Our planet, Earth, was formed about 4.5 billion years ago, and so is roughly a third of
the age of the universe. The first forms of life appeared in the oceans about 3.5 billion
years ago as single-celled organisms called bacteria and archaea. The first multi-
cellular life forms from which land-based animals and plants derive first appeared
about 900 million years ago when the Earth had sufficiently cooled down to allow
such life. Thereafter through the process of Evolution there was the formation of
various types of life forms of plants and animals including eventually human beings.
7. The Theory of Evolution, which was most elaborately developed by 19th century
British scientist, Charles Darwin, holds that all life on Earth is related and has
descended from a common ancestor. That life started from simple forms and over
time evolved into more complex forms through a process of “natural selection.” Over
time there is a process of “descent with modification” meaning that over time there
are changes or mutations in the genetic make-up of creatures and plants, usually in
response to their environment. The changes or mutations that aid survival, beneficial
mutations, are preserved over time and passed on to the next generation. Creatures
and plants that are unable to adapt, die of or become extinct. It is estimated that 99%
of life forms that have existed have become extinct! Over time, beneficial mutations
accumulate leading to the creation of an entirely new creature. This process takes
place over a long period of time.

Emergence of human beings

8. The first people, or primitive human beings, called hominids, appeared about 2
million years ago. They emerged from the same family of highly developed
monkeys,as apes like Chimpanzees, Bonobos and guerrillas. All these trace their
origin to one common ape ancestor, which emerged about 14 million years ago,
called Ramapithecus. Over 4 million years ago were the first apes to walk on two
legs, Australopithecus. About two million years ago, the first primitive people,
hominids, emerged who were distinct from the apes, walking on two legs, able to talk,
reason and use tools. Various types of primitive people followed before finally about
150 000 years ago saw the emergence of the modern human being in central Africa.
Central and unique to this evolution process was the process of human labour or work
which led to the physical, social and intellectual development of people, making them
distinct from animals.
9. Chernikov et al, describe how this worked, aided by the process of Evolution:3
“The development of human labour induced changes in the position of man’s head
and neck and resulted in the upright posture, as well as a broader horizon,
elements of communication (speech), changes in the brain structure and the
development of conscience. Given certain conditions, the features and capacities

3
Chernikov et al (1988) p. 25. See p. 98, Reader.
 acquired by individuals of generations were genetically inherited and fixed in the
following generations.”

10. The rough timelines of evolution from the primitive people to modern human beings
is like this:4
- The first primitive human beings were the Homo habilis “handy man” (2.5 - 1.5
million years ago) found in Kenya and Tanzania. Used stone choppers, hammers,
1.5 m tall, 40kg weight, 800 cc brain size.
- Next was the Homo erectus “standing man” (1.5 - 0.5 million years ago) using
rough stone tools and the first to make fire. Early Stone Age; Brain, 700-1200 cc.
Found in Tanzania, South Africa, China and Europe.
- Next were the Homo sapiens neandertalensis “Kabwe man” (500 0000 - 40
0000 years ago) found in Zambia, Europe, Central Asia. Size almost same with
modern humans, well-made stone tools - Middle Stone Age, brain size 1300cc.
- Finally, the modern human being, the Homo sapiens sapiens “thinking man”
about 150 000 years ago, initially in Africa. Brain size - 1400 cc. Late Stone Age,
Early Iron Age (AD 200 - AD 11000, Late Iron Age (AD 1100 - AD 1800;
Industrial Age, 1900; Space - Digital Age).

11. Nikitin P.I. well summarises this process thus:

- “The fundamental difference between man and animals appeared when man
began to make tools, even the most primitive ones, in stone. The manufacture of
tools or instruments of labour meant the beginning of human labour, as a result of
which the monkeys’ forelimbs gradually developed into human hands. As the
hands were freed for labour activities man’s ancestors began increasingly to
stand erect. As soon as even the simplest tools were made, the need arose for
contact (and co-operation) between primitive people in the labour process
concerning the application of these tools. Human speech began to develop.
Labour and speech exerted a decisive influence on the development of the brain
(over time the size of the human brain, grew bigger - with humans having the
largest brains of any animal). Thus (as Fredrich Engels wrote) it was labour that
created man himself, and it was thanks to labour that human society emerged.”

12. Place:
a. Humans and Apes: Figure with different types of apes: Garlake & Proctor - p. 45
b. Chronology of humans, C Harman, A People’s History of the World, p. 54.

All human beings equal and the same

13. The modern human being, the homo sapiens sapiens first emerged in tropical Africa
about 150 000 years ago, and over the next thousands of years spread over Earth.
Chrnikov et al assert that initially all humans shared the same physical and biological
features other than the biological distinction between men and women. However, as
humans spread from central Africa to different parts of the planet, secondary physical
and biological differences emerged as humans adjusted to differing geographical
environments and conditions. Thus emerged different physical features like skin
4
See P. Garlake and A Proctor (1985) pgs. 22 - 29.; pgs 41- 53, Reader; C Harman (2017) p. 54, Reader.
 complexion, eye colour or shape, shape of head, nose and height. For instance those
in colder climates had less melanin and became lighter in complexion.
14. However, these differences were secondary and did not go to the essence of what
constituted a human being. These differences were pronounced in the early stages of
evolution of the modern human being and as humans gradually mastered nature and
their environment, the influence of geographical environment reduced and new
biological distinctions ceased to emerge. Chernikov et al state, “Modern materialist
science defines races as groups of people of common origin and biologically inherited
secondary features (complexion, eye shape, etc) that in the course of history appeared
in different territories (and in different periods).”5
15. Thus the biological or physical differences amongst various human races, ethnic
groups or between women and men are secondary. All humans regardless of these
different secondary physical features, are genetically virtually the same and share the
same essential distinctions from animals. Man’s “chief distinction is his capacity to
transform reality and produce labour implements and means of subsistence, (as well)
as man’s ability to think and purposefully interact with other people (language) and
objects of the surrounding world… Secondary biological features have no bearing on
man’s productive or mental activity.” 6
16. Thus the essential distinction of humans is not racial, ethnical, physical, gender or
biological but the capacity of all human beings to:
i. do collective work or human labour, using tools to provide their basic
needs;
ii. think and reason;
iii. talk and language - cognition.

17. The above features are what made human beings a distinct and unique specie. Despite
her/his apparent physical weaknesses compared to other animals, for instance not as
fast, lacking strong jaws, a weak skin with little hair, humans mastered and became
overlords of the planet. At different periods, places and stages of evolution of human
beings, in response to different environments, conditions and opportunities,
{necessity is the mother of invention], different races, ethnic groups, clans, sexes
have made significant and novel achievements in science, technology, economics,
politics, law, philosophy that have advanced humanity. This shows the inherent
equality and capacity of all human beings, contrary to the arguments of racists,
sexists, tribalists. For instance the first civilisations which laid the basis of science,
mathematics, medicine, astrology, the first states and alphabets were in Africa (Egypt,
Nubia) and the Middle East (Mesopotamia) about 5000 years ago.7

Examples of Materialist conceptions of human beings: society & laws

18. After centuries of struggle, resistance and defiance by oppressed and marginalised
classes and social groups led by the working class and including peasants, blacks,
women, ethnic minorities, sexual orientation minorities, bourgeois law at

5
G.P. Chernikov et al, (1988) p. 26.
6
Ibid.
7
The Africa Fact Book (Institute of African Knowledge, Harare, 2020); C Harman, p. 54 Reader
 international, regional and national levels has now been forced to accept the
materialist based concept of equality of all human beings. The pioneering most
powerful examples of these having been found in the first socialist and workers
revolutions in history, the Paris Commune of 1871 and the 1917 October
Revolution in Russia. A few examples:

19. Bantu Philosophy

a. “Murombo munhu, haa vigwi muguva ari mupenyu.”8
b. Give further examples.

20. Scientists
- Steve Biko
“Even today, we are still accused of racism. This is a mistake. We know
that all interracial groups in South Africa are relationships in which
whites are superior, blacks inferior. So as a prelude whites must be made
to realise that they are only human, not superior. Same with blacks. They
must be made to realise that they are also human, not inferior.”9

- Albert Einstein:10
“In the United States everyone feels assured of his worth as an individual.
No one humbles himself before another person or class…. There is
however, a somber point in the social outlook of Americans. Their sense of
equality and human dignity is mainly limited to men of white skins. The
more l feel an American, the more this situation pains me. I can escape the
feeling of complicity in it only by speaking out.
Many a sincere person will answer: ‘Our attitude towards the Negroes is
the result of unfavourable experiences which we have had by living side by
side with Negroes in this country. They are not our equals in intelligence,
sense of responsibility, reliability.’
I am firmly convinced that whoever believes this suffers from a fatal
misconception. Your ancestors dragged these black people from their
homes by force; and in the white man’s quest for wealth and an easy life
they have been ruthlessly suppressed and exploited, degraded into slavery.
The modern prejudice against Negroes is the result of the desire to
maintain this unworthy condition…
I believe that whoever tries to think things through honestly will soon
recognise how unworthy and even fatal is the traditional bias against
Negroes.”

21. The 1871 Paris Commune 11

22. The Code on Marriage, the Family, and Guardianship, October 1918, Russia
8
Shona proverb, meaning - Even the poor person is a human being - when alive they will not be buried.
9
Statement quoted in the Boston Globe (25 October 1977), https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Steve_Biko. Reader p. 102.
10
A Einstein, “The Negro Question”, Pageant Magazine, January 1946.
11
SW, “The Paris Commune, March 19871: We remember the first socialist revolution”, Socialist Worker, April
2018, p 27; Socialist Worker, “The 1871 Paris Commune: First Workers State” Socialist Worker, May 1995, p. 10.
 “The 1918 Code swept away centuries of patriarchal and ecclesiastical power and
established a new vision base don individual rights and gender equality… It
abolished the inferior legal status of women and created equality under the law. It
eliminated the validity of religious marriage and gave legal status to civil marriage
only… The Code established no-grounds divorce at the request of either spouse. It
abolished the juridical concept of ‘illegitimacy’ and entitled all children to parental
support. If a woman could not identify the father of the child, a judge assigned
paternal obligations to all the men she had sexual relations with, thus creating a
‘collective of fathers.’ It forbade adoption of orphans by individual families in favour
of society. The Code also sharply restricted the duties and obligations of property
between spouses: a woman retained full control of her earnings after marriage, and
other spouse had any claim on the property of the other.”
- On marriage spouses could adopt the a co-joint surname of their names, or that
of the wife or the husband.
- The Decree on Land, No. 1, 1917, Article 6, provided, “(6) The right to use the
land shall be accorded to all citizens of the Russian state (without distinction of
sex) desiring to cultivate it by their own labour, with the help of their families, or
in partnership, but only as long as they are able to cultivate it. The employment
of hired labour is not permitted.”

International Treaties and National Constitutions

23. Identify and summarise the key provisions in the following documents that provide
for equality of all human beings, including

a. All human beings

b. Women and Men
c. All races including blacks and whites.

- Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 (United Nations);

- UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women, 1979 [CEDAW];
- UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination, 1969 (CERD);
- African [Banjul] Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, 1981
- Constitution of Zimbabwe;
- Constitution of South Africa
- Paris Commune, 1871