The Origin of the Family Private Property and the State

Engels wrote The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State in 1884. In it, he presented in a captivating and concise manner the findings of the research of the American sociologist Morgan, along with Karl Marx’s comments, along with the findings of his own research on three of the most important topics in sociology: the family, private property, and the state.
These topics occupy our minds today more than ever before, because we are passing through a transitional period in which we are experiencing something of a revolution in our social, political, and economic concepts. Opinions differ among thinkers in our country about the nature, extent, and direction of this revolution. However, it can be said that many of those who undertake research into these vital issues miss the mark and end up with hasty, rash judgments and crude solutions that do not stand up to the test of time and events. This is because these thinkers base their judgments not on impartial and balanced scientific study, but rather on superficial observation, preconceived ideas, and personal whims. But we would reap much benefit and provide our society with the greatest services if we abandoned this approach to examining our problems and instead pursued seriousness, good intentions, and honesty. Then, we would be able to understand where we stand in relation to what is happening in our country and in the world, and we would be able to find the path that will lead us to the happiness, dignity, and freedom we seek for ourselves and others. In other words, we would be able to be masters of our destiny rather than remaining playthings in the hands of events.