The main difference between dialectical materialism and historical materialism is that historical materialism is an extension of the principles of dialectical materialism to the study of social life, society, and its history.
Karl Marx developed both theories, dialectical materialism and historical materialism. Dialectical materialism is a theory that states historical and political events are a result of the conflict of social forces, and we can interpret it as a series of contradictions and their solutions. Historical materialism, on the other hand, is a theory that locates historical change in the rise of class societies and the way people work together to make their livelihoods.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Dialectical Materialism
– Definition, Features
2. What is Historical Materialism
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Karl Marx, Dialectical Materialism, Historical Materialism
What is Dialectical Materialism
Dialectical materialism is a philosophy of science, nature, and history based on the writings of Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx. According to this philosophy, historical and political events are a result of the conflict of social forces and can be interpreted as a series of contradictions and their solutions. Moreover, this conflict is seen as caused by material needs.
This philosophy has been named dialectical materialism since its approach to the natural world and method of studying is mainly dialectical, whereas its interpretation of the natural world, its conception of these phenomena, and its theory, is materialistic. In fact, dialectical materialism accepts the evolution of the natural world and the appearance of new qualities as stages of evolution. Marxist dialectics often emphasizes the importance of real-world conditions and the presence of contradictions within things in relation to labor, class, socioeconomic interactions, etc. This contradicts the Hegelian dialectic, which is of the view that contradictions in material phenomena can be resolved by analyzing them and coming up with a solution while preserving their essence. However, according to Marxist thinking, the most effective solution to problems that arise by contradictory phenomena is to rearrange the systems of social organization, which are at the root of the problems.
What is Historical Materialism
Historical materialism is also a theory of Karl Mark. It describes that historical change is related to the rise of class societies and the way people work together to make their livelihoods. According to Marx and Engels, the driving factor in historical events were the economic development of society. Moreover, changes to the mode of production causes the social and political disruptions. In addition, other assets of a society like political institutions, customs, laws, morality, way of thinking, etc., arise on the foundation of the economic base.
This theory of historical materialism has been modified and expanded since Marx’s time. Furthermore, we can describe historical materialism as an expansion of dialectical materialism.
Difference Between Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism
Definition
Dialectical materialism is a theory that states historical and political events are a result of the conflict of social forces and are interpretable as a series of contradictions and their solutions, while historical materialism is a theory that locates historical change in the rise of class societies and the way people work together to make their livelihoods.
Relation
Furthermore, historical materialism is an extension of the principles of dialectical materialism to the study of social life, society, and its history.
Nature
Most Marxists describe historical materialism as a specifically sociological method. But they describe dialectical materialism as a more general, abstract philosophy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, historical materialism is an extension of the principles of dialectical materialism to the study of social life, society, and its history. Thus, this is the main difference between dialectical materialism and historical materialism.
Reference:
1. “Dialectical Materialism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
2. “Historical Materialism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
3. “Dialectical and Historical Materialism.” Marxists.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Karl Marx, 1875” By John Jabez Edwin Mayall, colored by Olga Shirnina – (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Base-superstructure Dialectic” By Alyxr – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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