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p With the establishment of soeialism the scientific outlook becomes the predominant philosophy; in other words, it is accepted by a considerable number of people who form the advanced and most conscious section of society. The building of communism makes it objectively necessary for all its members without exception to master the fundamentals of this philosophy.

p This is understandable, because the complex problems involved in communist construction can be resolved only by highly conscious people who know the laws of social development, understand the domestic and international situation, have a precise idea of the tasks confronting the country and are active in carrying out these tasks. Modern scientific and technical progress, particularly the rapid development of natural science, whose achievements require of natural scientists not only profound comprehension but also a sound philosophical training, is another factor making it imperative for people to master the scientific outlook. Lastly, the scientific outlook is the sharpest ideological weapon in the struggle against idealist and religious philosophies, in the struggle against ideological adversaries.

p Communist construction not only makes it absolutely necessary, but also provides real possibilities for every member of society to acquire a scientific view of reality. The far-reaching social, economic and cultural changes that have followed in the wake of the triumph of socialism in the Soviet Union, the abolition of social and national oppression, the broad development of socialist democracy and the tremendous achievements in education, science and culture form that realistic foundation, which jnakes it possible to educate all people in the spirit of the scientific outlook.

p The scientific outlook takes shape on the foundation of 305 Marxism-Leninism as a harmonious system of philosophical, economic, social and political views. Therefore, in order to master the scientific outlook one must first master the fundamentals of Marxism-Leninism and learn to apply them creatively to practical affairs.

p Insofar as the scientific outlook is a dialectical materialist philosophy, the decisive role in its formation is played by Marxist-Leninist philosophy, by dialectical and historical materialism. Marxist philosophy provides man with a scientific method and means of explaining the diverse phenomena of nature and social life. It thereby enables man to arrive at a correct and principled assessment of the developments around him, understand his place in life and in the fulfilment of the tasks facing society and to behave accordingly. By forming man’s attitude to the world, philosophy teaches him how to act and makes him confident that he can know and change the world.

p To master the scientific outlook-, also means to master Marxist-Leninist economic theory. By revealing the laws governing the decisive sphere of human activity, namely, the sphere of material production, this theory enables man to organise economic life and, on that foundation, change all the diverse social relations for his own benefit. In his practical work he is rendered invaluable assistance by the theory of scientific communism, which not only gives a picture of the bright future of society but also shows concretely how to build it.

p The key achievements of natural science are a vital element of the scientific outlook. These achievements provide the natural scientific foundation of philosophy, for they reveal the laws of natural development and allow man to harness natural processes and tap fabulous wealth. Therefore, to master the scientific outlook means to master the fundamentals not only of Marxist-Leninist theory but also of natural sciences. Marxism-Leninism and natural sciences give a scientific outlook on reality only when they are inseverably united.

The formation of a scientific outlook in the course of communist construction is a natural process that takes place thanks to the building of the material and technical basis of communism and the fashioning of communist social relations. It is framed by a system of ideological 306 organisations and educational institutions (general education and special secondary schools, institutions of higher learning, political education, people’s universities of culture, and so forth).