This book was written by the famous West German Marxist philosopher Robert Steigerwald. It is a popular essay on the foundations of Marxist-Leninist philosophy, addressed to young people. The book reveals the most important provisions of dialectical-materialist philosophy, its ideological orientation, its role in the life of society and the individual. The author managed to combine the depth and meaningfulness of thought with the simplicity and vividness of presentation. The publication is intended for a wide range of readers who are starting to study Marxist-Leninist philosophy.