Generational shifts in scientific atheism: Ideology and strategy in 20th century Czechoslovakia

Abstract

The paper delves into scientific atheism, distinguishing between atheist thought as mere opinion and its development into a comprehensive worldview under Marxist-Leninist influence. It explores scientific atheism’s role as both a philosophical discipline and an ideology that has significantly impacted philosophers from our region across generations. Initially, scientific atheism represented an ideological commitment to materialism and rationalism. However, for subsequent generations, it evolved into a pragmatic strategy for consolidating political power, fostering social unity, and enhancing state control. This study not only outlines the integration of dialectical and historical materialism into Czechoslovakia’s mid-20th-century scientific and education systems but also examines the shifting perception of scientific atheism through different philosophical generations, highlighting its practical significance in Marxist-Leninist-dominated regions.

Keywords

• scientific atheism
• czechoslovakia
• secular morality
• education
• generations