Abstract：Abundant historical experiences indicate that the emergence of significant scientific and technological innovations is inseparable from the support of innovation culture. However, existing research predominantly views innovation as an endogenous transformation within economic systems, with few studies from the perspective of Marxist political economy. As innovation increasingly propels social development, yet the systemic risks associated with disruptive innovations escalate, it is imperative to grasp innovative activities as the process of objectifying human’s essential power through Marx’s labor theory, and profoundly connect innovation with the comprehensive development of humanity.Labor, as the cornerstone of Marxist doctrine, fundamentally determines the practical nature of innovation. We should grasp innovation as an advanced form of labor. Practice constitutes both the source and developmental impetus of innovation, as well as the sole criterion for verifying the truth. From the perspective of the development of productive forces, innovation is a spiral ascent process of upward development that “originates from practice and returns to practice”. New concepts, technologies, or institutions emerge from the conflicts of old contradictions, yet simultaneously engender new contradictions, thereby accumulating forces for subsequent innovations. From the perspective of the development of production relations, innovative activities evolve in tandem with the restructuring of production relations, necessitating their integration with institutional elements, such as ownership forms and division of labor models. From the perspective of laborer development, the foundation of innovation lies in species-being characteristics of humans, while individuals also face the risk of losing their free and conscious nature due to innovation-induced alienation. Constructing an innovation culture for the new era must adhere to the fundamental principles of Marxist view on innovation.Human beings are shaped by ideas, and all the practical activities, including innovation, are under the influence of culture. From the Marxist perspective, innovative culture refers to the ideology formed by humanity based on innovative practices, which influences and guides innovative processes, along with its corresponding institutional frameworks. It is characterized by materialism, subjectivity, class nature, and normativity. First, as a value system guiding innovation, innovation culture aims to answer the question of “innovation for whom”. The innovation culture of the proletariat points towards Marx’s goal of the free association of people. Second, innovation culture serves as a spiritual force that stimulates creativity, aiming to address the question: “how is innovation born?” It has the power to shape an individual’s subjectivity, enabling innovators to become conscious, autonomous and self-directed beings, allowing them to remain persistently focused on their innovative endeavors. Third, as a superstructure that organizes and reconciles complex contradictions, innovation culture aims to address the question: “how is innovation organized?” Innovation results from the action of general social knowledge rather than individual knowledge. The possibility and efficiency of innovation are conditioned by various social relations. Fourth, as an ideology that regulates innovation, innovation culture aims to address the question: “how to achieve innovation with enduring value?” It enables innovative behaviors to transcend mere economic and instrumental rationality and avoid short-sighted actions.Throughout long-term development, China and the West have cultivated distinct innovation cultures. Chinese traditional culture contains many elements conducive to innovation, such as the emphasis on the idea of Great Harmony, holistic worldview, dialectical thinking, and truth-seeking spirit. The West, on the other hand, prioritizes a free and purely academic atmosphere, an open and inclusive pluralistic framework, and the well-developed market mechanism, and etc. Looking ahead, we must steadfastly adhere to the worldview and methodology of Marxism, integrating the global vision with Chinese conditions and its fine traditional culture. Drawing on Marx’s view of innovation and culture, we should embrace a spirit of inclusivity, upholding integrity while innovating, further fostering a cultural pursuit that is deeply rooted in Chinese history, people-centered, truth-seeking, and open-source. This will ensure that scientific and technological innovation is grounded in national conditions and tradition. We must further establish a human-centered pursuit based on the subjectivity of innovation culture, guiding technology towards ethical application, bringing education back to the essence of life and enhancing the respect for innovators. We must further establish a truth-seeking pursuit based on the materialist nature of innovation culture, maintaining the dual focus of aiming higher while keeping feet firmly on the ground. We must further establish an open-source pursuit based on the normative nature of innovation culture, promoting the contradictory movement of productivity and production relations towards a higher level through innovation. In doing so, we can truly unleash the innovative momentum of a socialist country and ultimately enable innovation activities to serve the lofty goals of all-round development and liberation of mankind.
陈浩. 马克思主义视域下的创新文化及其时代演进[J]. 浙江大学学报(人文社会科学版), 2025, 55(12): 50-61.
Chen Hao. Innovation Culture and Its Epochal Evolution from the Perspective of Marxism. JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, 2025, 55(12): 50-61.
2025, Vol. 55 
