MARXISM AND DARWINISM. 25 



polemics, despite the fact that they bear the names of 

 scientific authors. Many of Haeckel's popular writ- 

 ings, when looked at from a scientific standpoint, are 

 very superficial, while the arguments and remon- 

 strances of his opponents show unbelievable foolish- 

 ness that can only be met in the arguments used 

 against Marx. 



The struggle, carried on by the liberal bourgeoisie 

 against feudalism was not fought to its finish. This 

 was partly owing to the fact that everywhere Social- 

 ist proletarians made their appearance, threatening all 

 ruling powers, including the bourgeoisie. The liberal 

 bourgeoisie relented, while the reactionary tendencies 

 gained an upper hand. The former zeal in combatting 

 religion disappeared entirely, and while it is true that 

 the liberals and reactionists were still fighting among 

 each other, in reality, however, they neared each other. 

 The interest formerly manifested in science as a 

 weapon in the class struggle, has entirely disappeared, 

 while the reactionary tendency that the masses must 

 be brought to religion, became ever more pronounced. 



The estimation of science has also undergone a 

 change. Formerly the educated bourgeoisie founded 

 upon science a materialistic conception of the universe, 

 wherein they saw the solution of the universal riddle. 

 Now mysticism has gained the upper hand; all that 

 was solved appeared as very trivial, while all things 

 that remained unsolved, appeared as very great indeed, 

 embracing the most important life question. A scep- 

 tical, critical and doubting frame of mind has taken 

 the place of the former jubilant spirit in favor of sci- 

 ence. 



This could also be seen in the stand taken against 

 Darwin. "What does his theory show? It leaves 



