p By A. F. OKULOV

p With the name of Lenin is associated not only a radical turning-point in human history—the transition from capitalism to socialism—but also a new epoch in the development of Marxist philosophy.

p Lenin’s genius was marked by the extraordinary scope of his purview of the times, the versatility of his knowledge, and the profundity of his scientific analysis of the laws of historical development. A glance at his work in the sphere of philosophy amazes one by the wide range of his writings. His clear-sighted mind penetrated with equal boldness and sagacity into the past, the present and the future of peoples and states.

p Lenin’s contribution to the treasure-house of Marxist philosophy marks a new, Leninist stage in its development. His masterly works have been and remain a militant theoretical weapon of the CPSU and the entire world communist movement.

p The main feature of Lenin’s approach to philosophy is his elaboration of its problems in an indissoluble and organic unity with proletarian struggle. Lenin engaged in the science of philosophy not for any "purely scientific" motives but in order to equip the working class with dialectical and historical materialism—that essential and dependable weapon in the struggle for the revolutionary transformation of society.

p Replying to the opportunist leaders of the Second International, and revisionists of all hues, who paid little regard to the philosophical problems of the working class, Lenin wrote: "The controversy over the question as to what is philosophical materialism and why deviations from it are erroneous, dangerous and reactionary always has ‘a real and living connection’ with ‘the 31 Marxist social and political trend’. . . . Only narrow-minded ‘realistic politicians’ of reformism or anarchism can deny the ‘reality’ of this connection."  [31•1 

p This fundamental idea on the necessity of a connection between Marxist philosophy and the proletarian movement runs through all the activities of the Leninist party and is a powerful instrument of all Marxists in the ideological struggle of today.

Lenin’s development of the philosophy of Marxism is a most extensive theme, with many facets. To show all the new features that he brought into the philosophy of Marxism calls for a great deal of collective work. In the present article, we have set ourselves a modest task—that of considering, in their general features, the philosophical problems that attracted the attention of Lenin as a philosopher.