Dialectic materialism

Definition

Dialectic materialism is an approach to understanding society that emphasizes how social change occurs through contradictions, conflicts, and struggles between different classes. It focuses on analyzing historical processes based on material conditions rather than abstract ideas.

Analogy

Think of dialectic materialism as a puzzle where each piece represents a different aspect of society. By examining the relationships and interactions between these puzzle pieces, we can understand how they fit together to form the bigger picture of social change.

Related terms

Historical materialism: Historical materialism is a theory that explains societal development by examining the ways in which economic systems shape history and influence social relations.

Thesis-antithesis-synthesis: This concept suggests that progress occurs through a cycle of opposing ideas (thesis and antithesis) clashing with each other, leading to a new synthesis or resolution.

Ideology: Ideology refers to a set of beliefs, values, or ideas that shape individuals' or groups' understanding of the world and their actions within it.