Section 3 (pg. 36-64) Summary and Analysis

Rius examines the roots of Marxism. He begins by looking at early man, though early man lacked the ability to write thoughts and words down. Early man created gods to give explanation for what happened in their lives. Some men convinced people that they had special insight and communication with the divine. These "special" people gradually became the ruling or upper class, while those who were exploited became the ruled or lower class. Some individuals tried to find logical explanations for natural events and became the "thinkers" of society. Thinkers started philosophy as a criticism of supernatural or religious beliefs. The Greek Xenophanes was one of the first philosophers of recorded history. He believed humans created gods in their own images. His ideas did not make the ruling class happy.

The ruling class solidified its religion as...