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

Main Ideas

• Labor as the main factor in human evolution. Engels asserts that it was labor that became the decisive factor in the transformation from ape to human.
• Development of the hand. Through labor, the human hand evolved, becoming more dexterous and capable of performing complex tasks, distinguishing humans from other primates.
• Impact of labor on brain development. Engels highlights that labor contributed to the development of the human brain and intellect, as it required planning and coordination of actions.
• Social nature of labor. Labor fostered the development of social connections and communication among people, which became an important aspect of human evolution.
• Interconnection between labor and language. Engels notes that the development of labor contributed to the development of language as a means of communication and experience sharing.
• Labor as the foundation of culture. Engels views labor as the basis for the development of culture and civilization, as it facilitated the accumulation of knowledge and skills.