Dialectical materialism

Dialectical materialism is a way of understanding reality; whether thoughts, emotions, or the material world. It is a scientific methodology developed from the principles of dialectics and materialism, and is the theoretical foundation of Marxism.

Although it was a method conceived by Marx and Engels, the term dialectical materialism was never actually used by either, but appropriately summarizes their philosophical outlook.

History

In ancient Greece, dialectics was the name given to the art of argumentation. It was considered that in the course of an argument, rich in fertile ideas, the opinions of the disputing parties underwent a change and that something new and of a higher nature resulted.

Philosopher Hegel used dialectics to describe the progress of ideas (thought) through contradiction, the process of its development toward a supreme and absolute spirit.

Marx and Engels were first inspired by Hegel's works and ideas, but later developed a better understanding of reality, its progress and development, and applied the dialectical logic to material reality, observing the historical development of society.

See also

• Marxism
• Marxism-leninism