Landmarks of Scientific Socialism: "Anti-Duehring"

Frederick Engels opens a spirited dialogue with a German academic who, after declaring his conversion to socialism in 1875, set out to fashion an all‑encompassing philosophy that blended cosmology, moral law and economics. Engels portrays this figure’s ambition with a mix of admiration for his confidence and sharp criticism of his claims, using the broader transformation of the working class across Europe as a backdrop for the debate.

The work then moves through a series of systematic essays: first tackling natural philosophy and the dialectical method, then dissecting political economy—from the “force theory” of value to the analysis of labor, capital and surplus. In its final section Engels confronts contemporary socialist practice, examining how production, distribution and institutions such as the family and education might be reshaped. Throughout, the text offers a clear, historically grounded critique that invites listeners to reconsider the foundations of scientific socialism.