Annotations on “Outline of Marxist Philosophy” edited by Li Da [I]
(1965)
Part One
Marxist philosophy is the spiritual weapon of the proletarian revolution
Chapter Three: The Opposition Between Dialectics and Metaphysics
Section One: Two Opposing Views of Development
The Core of Dialectics
Regarding development,
In the history of epistemology,
it has been intertwined with the struggle between materialism
and idealism, as well as with the debate between agnosticism and
the law of unity and struggle of opposites.
Other categories such as
the transformation of quantity into quality, negation of the negation,
interconnection, and so forth,
are also part of the dialectical process. The conflict between dialectics and metaphysics further complicates this picture. Dialectics and metaphysics represent two fundamentally opposed views of development... Due to these differing perspectives on development,
the methods of proof and the degree of thoroughness with which various philosophical schools address the fundamental problems of philosophy will naturally differ. The view of development constitutes an essential and organic component of any given philosophical system; it is an indispensable aspect of one’s worldview.
What we call interconnection refers to
the mutual relationships that exist between different entities in time and space.
Comrade Mao Zedong described these two distinct views of development as opposing cosmologies (i.e., worldviews), thereby emphasizing that the issue of their opposition is of paramount importance in philosophy. Consequently, when discussing the fundamental problems of philosophy,
we must necessarily examine the conflict between these two views of development.
(Anorises)
111 Fight
Engels, in his works “Anti-Dühring” and “Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy,” and Lenin, in “On the Question of Dialectics,” both summarized the two main approaches to development as dialectics and metaphysics. Lenin stated: “There are two basic (or perhaps two possible? Or two historically common?) views on development (evolution): one holds that development consists of additions and subtractions, a mere repetition; the other maintains that development is the unity of opposites—the splitting of a unified whole into two mutually exclusive aspects, together with their interrelation.”
121 The former view represents the metaphysical conception of development, while the latter embodies the dialectical perspective. In this section, we shall explore the fundamental opposition between these two views, its historical roots, and its relationship to the basic questions of philosophy.
It is inappropriate to present several principles side by side in this manner; Lenin had already essentially resolved this issue. Our task now is simply to provide further explanation and elaboration. As for the various categories (there may be more than ten),
they should all be clarified under the guidance of the core principle—
[I] Foreign words enclosed in brackets were written by Mao Zedong.
[2]
This passage is quoted from Lenin’s essay “On the Question of Dialectics.”
The contradictions within things can be explained through their unity and struggle. For example, when defining essence,
we can only say that essence is the principal contradiction and its principal aspect within a thing.
As such, let us conclude here.
There is no need to copy Stalin.
Annotations on “Outline of Marxist Philosophy” edited by Li Da
The opposition between two views of development
occupies a central position.
The fundamental opposition between these two views is most clearly manifested in the following three issues.
First, the distinction between isolated viewpoints and those based on interconnection.

In 1966, Mao Zedong reviewed the forces of the Proletarian Cultural Revolution atop the Tiananmen Gate Tower.

Telegraph from Mao Zedong et al. Congratulating the People’s Republic of Albania on Its Twentieth Anniversary
(January 10, 1966)
To Comrade Enver Hoxha, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Labor Party of Albania;
Comrade Haxhi Lleshi, Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Republic of Albania;
and Comrade Mehmet Shehu, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Albania:
On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of Albania, on behalf of the Chinese people, the Communist Party of China, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, we extend our warmest congratulations to the Albanian people, the Labor Party of Albania, and the government of the People’s Republic of Albania.
The establishment of the People’s Republic of Albania marked another event of great historical significance in the life of the Albanian nation, following the Liberation Day of November 29, 1944. Over the past twenty years, under the wise leadership of the Labor Party of Albania headed by Comrade Enver Hoxha, the hardworking and courageous Albanian people have achieved tremendous successes in the cause of socialist revolution and socialist construction. Albania has successfully completed its Third Five-Year Plan.
At present, upholding the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance, striving for progress, and arduous struggle, the Albanian people are confidently working towards the realization of their Fourth Five-Year Plan, which commenced this year. The Chinese people sincerely rejoice at the great achievements attained by our fraternal Albanian comrades. We firmly believe that the Albanian people will surely score new and even greater victories on their path forward in building socialism.