John Peterson > Quotes

“To quote Feuerbach: “But the brain is the organ of thinking only as long as it is connected with the human head and body.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“In ancient times pagan priests sacrificed babies to Moloch. Today millions of babies are sacrificed every year at the altar of Capital.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“Trotsky once asked, “How many Aristotles are herding swine, and how many swineherds are sitting on thrones?”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“To prove that something exists means to prove that it is not something that exists only in thought.” This is perfectly true, but it means that the unity of thinking and being does not and cannot in any way mean their identity. This is one of the most important features distinguishing materialism from idealism.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“That is why the capitalist press always praises the “courage” of the scab, who is allegedly standing up for “the freedom of the individual.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“Capitalism tends to isolate, atomize, and alienate people, who are taught to see themselves as “individuals,” that is, as isolated atoms. This reflects the social reality of the bourgeoisie and petty bourgeoisie, who are constantly competing against each other.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“It is not thinking that determines being, but being that determines thinking.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“The Hegelian dialectic could be “turned right side up” only by one who was convinced of the soundness of the basic principle of Feuerbach’s philosophy, viz., that it is not thinking that determines being, but being that determines thinking.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism

“All that exists deserves to perish.”
― John Peterson, The Revolutionary Philosophy of Marxism: Selected Writings on Dialectical Materialism