The doctrine of Historical materialism, and asocial sociability as a mode
of human congress, is developed by Mandeville, Montesquieu, and esp. the
Scots: Hume, Ferguson, Smith, Millar. At the point of origin it involves an
optimistic interpretation of the progress of modernity-- hence it is telic.

For Kant all this is a received-- i.e. imported-- doctrine, not something
he originates. (Hence my essay is entitled "Kant's *Importation* of
Historical Materialism.")

I have yet to figure out where Kant is acquiring this from superficially.
My guess is that Hume is the most important source.

Marx is also aware of the case that Smith advocates "historical
materialism." I doubt very much that he has any awareness of this doctrine
as advanced by Kant, if this is what Wood supposes...? He certainly has no
need to learn of it from Kant, since there are so many other sources.

Bruce M.