Young Engels’ Criticism On Thomas Carlyle’s Pantheism

The philosophical research and revolutionary practice of the young Engels during his time in Manchester were the theoretical source and social foundation for his transformation of worldview,which led Engels to complete his transformation from idealism to materialism.Therefore,going back to Engels’ early texts to further explore the germ of Engels’ early materialist idea of history is not only a direct affirmation of Engels’ early philosophical thought,but also helps us to understand and further develop historical materialism in depth.And the young Engels’ critique of Carlyle’s pantheism,as an important intermediary for Engels’ transcendence of Feuerbach,becomes here a crucial link that cannot be skipped,advancing the development of Engels’ historical materialist thought.The Young Engels considered Carlyle’s exposition of the real state of affairs in Britain and his attack on capitalism both worthy of recognition,but Carlyle’s identification of the causes of the various contradictions in capitalist society was absurd.Based on the social reality in Britain,the Young Engels gave an original exposition of the real problem of the relationship between human beings and interests and principles,exposing the idealistic undertones behind Carlyle’s pantheism and pointing out that the root of all the ills in capitalist society that Carlyle exposes lies in private ownership,not in the lack of faith as he claims.In his critique of Carlyle’s religious beliefs,the young Engels revealed the nature of capitalism,pointed out that it was social material production that was the basis of social development,thus revealing the laws of social development,and from these analyses concluded that a revolution was necessary.Of particular importance is his discovery of the historical position of the working class,which is the fundamental point at which he surpasses Feuerbach in his world view.His attempt to find a way out of the philosophical creation of reality by trying to accuse it and guide it through theory coincided with Marx’s enduring reflection on the conflict of material interests.