Historical and Ethical Materialism

Abstract

Throughout the tens of thousands of years of their existence, humans have for much of their time been preoccupied with the uncertainties of daily survival. In response to these uncertainties, they have developed systems of self defense that are for the most part founded on myth, although here and there empirical observation has incorporated in them elements of genuine efficacy. They have developed a nomenclature to designate supernatural forces, a system of legends to describe the modes of operation of these forces, and vast cosmogonies to explain the formation of the earth and its peoples.

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