Contradiction

In dialectical materialism, a contradiction is a coexistent diametrical link between (usually two) things. Contradictions are formed when two requirements are met:

1. Two things must be diametrically opposed
2. And one cannot exist without the other

For examples:

• Saturation and starvation form a contradiction; saturation is diametrically opposed to starvation, as one cannot be saturated and starved at the same time. Starvation also must coexist with saturation, otherwise it would be impossible to starve without the need for saturation.
• In warfare, attack and defence form a contradiction; defence is the diametrical opposite of the attack (rule 1) and there is no need for defence if there is no attack (rule 2).
• Life and death form a contradiction. Life is diametrically opposed to death and death cannot exist without life.
• Void versus phenomena. This plays out in several ways. Darkness and light. Heat and cold. Darkness is the absence of light. Cold is the absence of heat.

Note that diametrically opposed does not necessarily mean the literal opposite. Diametrical means the complete opposite, at both extremes. The bourgeoisie and proletariat are diametrically opposed (both existing at one extreme end: the bourgeoisie that controls industry and the proletariat that must work this industry), but they are not an antonym to one another.

Dialectical materialism is distinct from dualism. Dualism frames the world as a pair of mutually negating forces — that of idea and matter, consciousness and being — and that correspondingly, phenomena also fall into two categories — the ideal and the material, which negate each other, and contend against each other, so that the development of nature and society is a constant struggle between ideal and material phenomena. Dialectical materialism views these opposed forces as distinct parts of the whole substance. Like the two sides of a coin.

Contradictions exist everywhere in the world and in many different domains, and it is the solving of contradictions (which makes new ones appear) that drive change in the general sense of the term, thus dialectics happen.

Mao Zedong talked at length about contradictions and is a good starting place for theory.

Primary and secondary contradictions

Contradictions are separated into primary and secondary categories. Secondary contradictions are dependent on primary ones for their existence or rather, primary contradictions drive secondary contradictions.

Whether one should solve the primary or secondary contradiction first is still a point of debate.

Some think that solving class contradictions for example (moving into communism, a classless society) will also inherently solve several secondary contradictions attached such as racism, homophobia, sexism, selfishness, etc.

For others, it is impossible to solve the primary contradiction without addressing the secondary contradictions. They argue it is simply impossible, for example, to solve class contradictions if sexism and homophobia are not addressed first.

Solving contradictions

A contradiction is solved when it stops existing; i.e. when both rules stop being applicable.

Thus the proletariat will stop existing as a class when the bourgeoisie stops existing. However, in that scenario, one of two things may happen:

1. Another contradiction takes its place
2. The contradiction is solved for good

In this example, it means that the proletariat may be replaced by another class -- but inevitably, so will the bourgeoisie (much like how serfs and nobles were replaced by capitalist social classes). Thus another contradiction would take place between these two classes. Or classes could stop existing at all, which would usher in a classless era and solve class contradictions for good (since there are no more classes).

Universality

Contradiction is universal and absolute, it is present in the process of development of all things and permeates every process from beginning to end.

— Mao Zedong, On Contradiction, The Universality of Contradiction

Further Reading

• Mao Zedong (1937). On Contradiction. Yenan. [MIA]