Introduction √ (January 23)
Today, I studied the introduction part of this book. As the opening of the entire book, it first discusses the necessity for the proletariat and its parties to study Marxist philosophy in the current era—an era in which capitalism and imperialism are heading towards demise, and socialism and communism are moving towards victory. Although decades have passed since this book was written, it still holds significance for us today. As members of revolutionary organizations, to thoroughly transform our backward worldviews and proletarianize ourselves so that we can truly assume our responsibilities, we must be guided by scientific theory. Theoretical study and ideological transformation have always been inseparable. In the past, I was extremely indolent, underestimated the importance of theoretical learning, and separated the relationship between theoretical study and ideological transformation, mistakenly believing that not studying Marxism would not hinder transforming my own thoughts or helping others engage in ideological struggle. However, the results have fully proven that: without scientific theoretical guidance, I can only view the world through extremely vulgar and backward worldviews, and use erroneous methods to transform the world. Now, I realize that theoretical study is by no means optional, but an essential task closely related to our cause. Lenin wrote in “The Tasks of the Youth League”: “If you know that you understand too little, then you must find ways to understand more. But if someone claims to be a communist and at the same time believes that he does not need any solid knowledge, then he cannot be a communist at all.” Marxist philosophy is a scientific worldview and methodology, the spiritual weapon guiding us in all struggles that serve the interests of the proletariat. I must take studying it seriously and master this weapon.
The introduction emphasizes that Marxist revolutionary theory has been continuously developing along with the progress of the proletarian revolutionary cause. Both Lenin and Chairman Mao have correctly and creatively developed Marxism in the process of combining theory with practice. The suffering Chinese people, under the guidance of the great Mao Zedong Thought, have achieved victory one after another. The philosophical ideas within Mao Zedong Thought represent the highest development of dialectical materialism in contemporary times.
In the past, the Khrushchev revisionist clique, despite the favorable revolutionary situation, was terrified of the dying enemy and became accomplices of U.S. imperialism. To achieve their counterrevolutionary political goals and justify their reactionary political line, they shamelessly propagated philosophical superstitions such as nuclear weapon fetishism and the theory of contradiction fusion, opposing revolutionary dialectical materialism, especially opposing the glorious Mao Zedong Thought. Lenin once said: “Marx’s teachings, in the course of their life, must go through battles.” Marxism has not been defeated as the traitors hoped; instead, it has further developed through struggle. Today, we also face battles against various “leftist” debates within Chinese online circles that claim to uphold Marxism but actually promote Trotskyist theories, spreading the influence of Marxism. This requires us to first master the truth ourselves and never attempt to “illuminate others with our own darkness,” so that we can defeat various erroneous opinions, gain the broadest support from the masses, and prepare adequately for the upcoming socialist revolution.
