​Li Yitian: A history of Marxist Ethical Thoughts

 [Author] Professor Li Yitian, awarded as Young Changjiang Scholar by the Ministry of Education, with a doctoral degree of philosophy, is working in the Research Center for College Moral Education of Tsinghua University and Institute for Ethics and Religions Studies of Tsinghua University. He is also a researcher in the Research Center of Ethics and Moral Construction of Renmin University of China.  

[Abstract] The history of Marxist ethical thought is not only a part of the history of Marxist thought, but also a part of the history of modern ethical thought. It includes Marx and Engels’ own discussions on ethical issues, as well as their successors and Marxist researchers’ discussions, arguments and opinions on it. To study the history of Marxist ethical thought, it is necessary to describe the development process of Marxist ethical thoughts and explore its internal clues and essential rules based on the major history events of socialist movement and modern society. In this sense, the history of Marxist Ethical Thoughts can be divided into four phases: The expansion and transformation of Marx and Engels’ ethical thoughts (1840s to 1890s); The debate and integration of Marxist ethical thoughts (1890s to 1940s); The pluralism and differentiation of Marxist ethical thoughts (1940s to 1990s); The current status and prospects of Marxist ethical thoughts (1990s to present). 

[Keyword] Marxist Ethical Thoughts; connotations; phases; the view of four phases;