The Part Played by Labour in the Transition from Ape to Man

Historical Context and Significance

Friedrich Engels' essay «The Part Played by Labour in the Transition from Ape to Man» is a significant contribution to Marxist anthropology and philosophy. Written in 1876, it explores the role of labor as a fundamental factor in human evolution. Engels argues that it was labor that became the driving force leading to the development of human society, language, consciousness, and culture. This work emphasizes a materialistic understanding of history and human nature, focusing on how physical labor and interaction with the environment contributed to the development of human abilities and social structures. The influence of this work is evident in the further development of anthropological and sociological studies, as well as in the strengthening of Marxist ideas, where labor is seen as a central element of human existence and progress.