Dialectical Materialism and Historical
Materialism
Introduction
Karl Marx’s ideas of dialectical materialism and historical materialism help us understand
how society changes over time. To understand Marx properly, it is important to know the
influence of the German philosopher G. W. F. Hegel.
Dialectical Philosophy
Dialectical philosophy is very old. Its main idea is that contradictions exist in reality.
Unlike common sense, which treats contradictions as mistakes, dialectical philosophy
believes that contradictions are natural and real.
According to dialectical philosophy, reality can be understood by studying how opposite
forces clash and develop over time. These contradictions do not keep things stable; instead,
they create change.
Hegel’s Dialectics
Hegel used the idea of contradiction to explain historical change. According to him, history
moves forward through contradictory ideas. When one contradiction is resolved, a new
contradiction emerges.
Hegel believed that ideas and reason are the essence of reality. He argued that history is the
development of reason becoming conscious of itself. For Hegel, strong constitutional and
legal states represented the final stage of historical development. His philosophy is known
as dialectical idealism.
Marx’s Critique of Hegel
Marx accepted Hegel’s idea that contradictions cause change, but he rejected Hegel’s
idealism. Hegel believed that ideas cause social change, whereas Marx believed that
material conditions cause change.
Marx argued that ideas are not independent forces. Instead, ideas are a reflection of material
and social conditions. This shift is often described as Marx “turning Hegel upside down.”
Materialism
Introduction
Karl Marx’s ideas of dialectical materialism and historical materialism help us understand
how society changes over time. To understand Marx properly, it is important to know the
influence of the German philosopher G. W. F. Hegel.
Dialectical Philosophy
Dialectical philosophy is very old. Its main idea is that contradictions exist in reality.
Unlike common sense, which treats contradictions as mistakes, dialectical philosophy
believes that contradictions are natural and real.
According to dialectical philosophy, reality can be understood by studying how opposite
forces clash and develop over time. These contradictions do not keep things stable; instead,
they create change.
Hegel’s Dialectics
Hegel used the idea of contradiction to explain historical change. According to him, history
moves forward through contradictory ideas. When one contradiction is resolved, a new
contradiction emerges.
Hegel believed that ideas and reason are the essence of reality. He argued that history is the
development of reason becoming conscious of itself. For Hegel, strong constitutional and
legal states represented the final stage of historical development. His philosophy is known
as dialectical idealism.
Marx’s Critique of Hegel
Marx accepted Hegel’s idea that contradictions cause change, but he rejected Hegel’s
idealism. Hegel believed that ideas cause social change, whereas Marx believed that
material conditions cause change.
Marx argued that ideas are not independent forces. Instead, ideas are a reflection of material
and social conditions. This shift is often described as Marx “turning Hegel upside down.”
