QUESTION: Define sociological theory and explain the Dialectical materialism of sociological theory.
INTRODUCTION
- Background of sociological theory
- Definition of the key concept; Theory and Sociological Theory.
MAIN BODY
- Origin and Development of Dialectical Materialism
- Dialectical Materialism
- Criticism
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
Sociologists develop theories to explain social phenomena. Sociological theory divided into two categories based on period formed such as “Classical Sociological Theory and Modern Sociological Theory” whereby Classical sociological theory are theories formed between 1800’s and 1900’s including the following classical thinkers; Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, and Georg Simmel, and it was the period where August Comte (1798-1857) raised up and introduces the concept of “sociology”. Theories formed during this period are Functionalism, Suicide, Bureaucracy, conflict theory and social change. And Modern Sociological Theory are those modern theories formed in 1900 to present, and also these theories either developed from classical sociological theories or new theories; these are New-evolutionism, Structure functionalism, and Contemporary feminist Theory.
A theory is a proposed relationship between two or more concepts. In other words, a theory is explanation for why a phenomenon occurs. In sociology, sociological theories are complex theoretical and methodological frameworks, used to analyze and explain objects of social study, and facilitate organizing sociological knowledge. Sociological theory is constantly evolving, therefore it can never be presumed to be complete. It can involve analysis at a macro-level, which focuses on social structures shaping the society or at a micro-level which is a close-up study on social interaction taking place in specific situations.
Robert O. Keel, (2001), also explained sociological theory in two Theoretical Orientations: Grand Theories and Theories of Everyday Life. Grand theories (for example: the work of Karl Marx and Max Weber) are attempts to deal with society as a whole--to explain the structure of the system and the processes of change that produce what we call, human history. Theories of everyday life focus on, sometimes mundane, human behavior in an attempt to explain individual action and interaction between individuals; as well as beliefs, attitudes, and values within the context of groups and the broader social system.
DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPT
Theory is a statement or statement of how and why specific facts are related (Macionis, 1997:15)
Zerihun Doda (2005), defined theory as a set of interconnected hypotheses that offer general explanations for natural or social phenomena.
(http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/social-theory)
Sociological theory is defined as a set of interrelated ideas that allows for systematization of knowledge of the social world. This knowledge is used to explain the social world and make prediction about the future of the social world (Robert O. Keel, 2011).
Sociological theories are complex theoretical and methodological frameworks used to analyze and explain object of social study. Examples of sociological theories are conflict theory, critical theory, feminist theory, functionalism theory, and rational choice theory (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/introduction-to-sociological-theory)
Therefore, sociological theory can be defined as a complex theoretical framework that is used to explain social theories through empirical formula (scientific method) and making judgments.
DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM
ORIGIN
Dialectics comes from the Greek word “dialego”, to discourse, to debate. In ancient times dialectics was the art of arriving at the truth by disclosing the contradictions in the argument of an opponent and overcoming these contradictions. There were philosophers in ancient times who believed that the disclosure of contradictions in thought and the clash of opposite opinions was the best method of arriving at the truth. This dialectical method of thought, later extended to the phenomena of nature, developed into the dialectical method of apprehending nature, which regards the phenomena of nature as being in constant movement and undergoing constant change, and the development of nature as the result of the development of the contradictions in nature, as the result of the interaction of opposed forces in nature (J. V. Stalin September 1938).
DEVELOPMENT DIALECTIC MATERIALISM
Dialectical materialism emerged in the 1840’s, when the proletariat’s struggle for its social liberation imperiously demanded some knowledge of the laws of development of society. This was impossible without materialist dialectics and the materialist explanation of history. The founders of dialectical materialism, Karl Marx and Fredrick Engel’s, subjected social reality to a profound, thoroughgoing analysis, critically reworking and assimilating everything positive that had been achieved previously in the areas of philosophy and history and creating a qualitatively new world view that became the philosophical basis for the theory of scientific communism and for the practical activity of the revolutionary workers’ movement. Marx and Engel’s were developing dialectical materialism in a sharp ideological struggle against various forms of the bourgeois world view,(Spirkin, A. G, 2010).
Dialectics is a method of thinking and interpreting the world of both nature and society. Dialectical materialism supposes that all phenomena consist of matter in motion. Motion itself is the result of the contradictions inherent among the elements in all objects, (http://www.answers.com/topic/dialectical-materialism#ixzz1sCdIUroP). It is a way of looking at the universe, which sets out from the axiom that everything is in a constant state of change and flux. But not only that, Dialectics explains that change and motion involve contradiction and can only take place through contradictions, (http://www.marxist.com/science-old/dialecticalmaterialism.html).
Historically the word Dialecting materialism were explained in 500 B.C. by early Greeks thinkers such as Plato, Zenon, and Aristotle whereby defined Dialecal means “constant state of change and that change unfold through a series of contruction, (V. I. Lenin, 1908) or (http://www.socialistappeal.org/dialectical-materialism). The Philosophical approach expressed through the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and later by Georgy Plekhanov, Vladimir Ilich Lenin, and Joseph Stalin, the official philosophy of communism.
Dialectical Materialism is the world view of the proletariat. At the same time it is the method of the proletariat for taking cognizance of the surrounding world, and the method of revolutionary action of the proletariat. It is the unity of world view and methodology, (Mao Zedong, 1938).
Dialectical materialism is the work of Karl Marx (1818-1883) a Germany thinker who developed from the work of George Hegel (1770-1831). Dialectical Materialism involves two words such as “Dialectical and Materialism” which stand as follow; “Dialectical”: This denotes that the basis of society is conflict. Marx identified that conflict as class conflict that established by property. And “Materialism”: This denotes that there are no spiritual forces, no divine guidance or intervention, (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, 1848, in the Book “The Communist Manifesto). Also "Dialectics is nothing more than the science of the general laws of motion and development of nature, human society and thought." (Engel’s: ‘Anti-Duhring).
Dialectical materialism is derived from Hegel’s idea that history follows a pattern of progress through (ideological) conflict-“thesis, antithesis, synthesis”-called the dialectic and Feuerbach’s idea, called materialism, that the ideas that people come up with their ways of making sense of the material conditions they are in, (Udayan Roy, 2007).
"Hegel's dialectic often appears broken up for convenience into three moments called "thesis" (in the French historical example, the revolution), "antithesis" (the terror which followed), and "synthesis" (the constitutional state of free citizens). Hegel scholarship does not recognize the usefulness of this triadic classification for shedding light on Hegel's thought. Although Hegel refers to "the two elemental considerations: first, the idea of freedom as the absolute and final aim; secondly, the means for realising it, i.e. the subjective side of knowledge and will, with its life, movement, and activity" (thesis and antithesis), he doesn't use "synthesis" but instead speaks of the "Whole", (Niki Raapana and Nordica Friedrich, October 2005/ http://nord.twu.net/acl/standfor.html)
The thesis is an intellectual proposition, The antithesis is simply the negation (contradiction or dineal) of the thesis, a reaction to the proposition.The synthesis solves the conflict between the thesis and antithesis by reconciling their common truths, and forming a newproposition, (Guernica, 1937) and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, (1770-1831).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis,_antithesis,_synthesis).
The dialectic materialism is regarded as the consolidation of Marx and Engel’s main idea is scientific philosophers. Dialectical materialism is one of the basic principles on of Marx “Dialectic” literally means discussion. Dialectic is the study of contradiction which lies at the very heart of existence, (Shankar Rao, 2006).
Hegel’s dialectic with dialectical materialism: society’s form is determined by the means of production used. Marx’s Dialectical materialism takes society through a fixed sequence of stages: savagery, barbarism, feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communism. Each stage, except the last, is characterised by the dominance of a particular class, (Thomas Edison, 1922).
The three main ingredients of Marx’s theory are:-
Productive Forces; natural resources and technology. Productive forces can change when there are discoveries, inventions, and conquests of other countries and colonization of other lands.
Mode of Production; economic system. The most important thing to look for in an economic system is the relation between and the distribution of power among the various classes.
Ideological Superstructure; government, law, politics, religion, art, literature, philosophy, and science. When productive forces change, the mode of production needs to change. This is because for every set of productive forces there is a unique set of class relations that is appropriate. That is, for every set of productive forces there is a unique distribution of power among the various classes.(Udayan Roy, 2007).
Combines ideas of Hegel (dialectic process), Feuerbach (reality is material), and Saint-Simone (relationship between classes).Marx’s idea: History is the result of a constant tension between the economic interests of two classes: the owning/governing class and the producing/exploited class; the process by which change occurs is dialectical. The dialectical process has occurred over “five epochs of history”, these are:-primitive/communal, slave, feudal, capitalist, socialist/communist. Marx believed his theory was scientific: because he uncovered the economic laws of motion of society, he could predict the future development of society, (Guernica, 1937; Pablo Picasso).
Dialectics is the science of the general and abstract laws of the development of nature, society, and thought. Its principal features are:
1. The universe is not a disconnected mix of things isolated from each other, but an integral whole, with the result that things are interdependent.
2. Nature - the natural world or cosmos - is in a state of constant motion: "All nature, from the smallest thing to the biggest, from a grain of sand to the sun, from the protista to man, is in a constant state of coming into being and going out of being, in a constant flux, in a ceaseless state of movement and change", (Friedrich Engel’s, Dialectics of Nature).
3) Development is a process whereby insignificant and imperceptible quantitative changes lead to fundamental, qualitative changes. The latter occur not gradually, but rapidly and abruptly, in the form of a leap from one state to another. A simple example from the physical world might be the heating of water: a one degree increase in temperature is a quantitive change, but at 100 degrees there is a qualitative change - water to steam. "Merely quantitative differences, beyond a certain point, pass into qualitative changes." --Karl Marx, Capital, Vol. 1.
4) All things contain within themselves internal dialectical contradictions, which are the primary cause of motion, change, and development in the world.
And also, Engel’s gives an account of the laws of dialectics, beginning with the three most fundamental ones: The law of the unity and conflict of opposites, The law of the passage of quantitative changes into qualitative changes, and The law of the negation of the negation, (http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Dialectical_materialism) and Ernst Mayr, 1990s in the book “Roots of Dialectical Materialism”, and J. V. Stalin, 1938 “Dialectical and Historical Materialism”.
Historical materialism was applied in Russia as well as Chinese. The Chinese proletariat, having assumed at the present time the historical task of the bourgeois-democratic revolution, must make use of dialectical materialism as its mental arm, (Mao Zedong, 1938, Dialectical Materialism, Translated by Foreign Language Press, Peking).
CRITICISM
- Bourgeoisie ideologists, seeing dialectical materialism as a fundamental obstacle to the spread of their views. Dialectical materialism was under Karl Mark among of the founder of socialism, and they believed that society change the result of contradiction between two classes such as they have and they have not including capitalist class and proletariat where this concept influence workers to struggle against evils done by bourgeoisie.
- Dialectical materialism seeing as idealism, as a result it denies Marxism being exercised in the social histories and cultural traditions of different nations and countries. For example, they believe that, development comes as a result of contradiction or revolution. This is idealistic, because development may come without contradiction but what is needed is sacrificed people for their nation and also development as a result of many things including improvement of food, clothes, education, health, and shelter.
- Dialectical materialism regard contradiction is a source of development. This is against functionalism and bureaucracy. Functionalism insists to work together as “organ” where by it is interdependence. So, through contraction under dialectical materialism will lead to the distraction of development achieved. Foe Example in Libya where these methods were used; properties like industries, roads, ports, and public offices were distorted badly, hence backwardness of development reached in that country.
- Dialectical materialism denied the harmony/ peace existed in the society for a long period of time. This is due to championing revolution or contradiction is the key factors for attaining development hence various group of labels emerging in the society so as to overthrown an existing government as a result harmony or piece disappears. Examples are Syria, and Bahrain where labels fight against existing government until today.
CONCLUSION
In its struggle against bourgeois philosophy, as against contemporary revisionism and dogmatism, Marxism consistently adheres to the principle of the partiinost’ of philosophy, viewing the philosophy of dialectical materialism as a scientific weapons in the hands of the working class and toiling masses who are struggling for their liberation from capitalism and for the victory of communism.
REFERENCES
Macionis, J. J. and Plummer, K. (2008), Sociology “A Global Introduction”, 4th Edition,
London, Pearson Education Limited.
Ritzer, G. and Goodman, J. D. (2004c), Sociological Theory, 6th Edition, University of
Maryland & Puget Sound, McGraw Hill Publisher
Shankar Rao, C. N. (2006),Sociology: a principles of sociology with an introduction to
Social thought, 6th Edition, Indian university, Rejendra Ravindra and S. Chand
Press.
Zerihun Doda (2005), Introduction To Social Cultural Anthropology, Debub University,
EPHT (Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative) Press
http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Dialectical_materialism/16-04-2012/3.18PM
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/161209/dialectical-materialism/16-04-2012/2:30
http://www.marxist.com/science-old/dialecticalmaterialism.html/16-04-2012/2:10PM
http://www.rcgfrfi.easynet.co.uk/marxism/articles/f87-dm.htm/16-04-2012/2:20PM
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dialectical_materialism/16-04-2012/2:47PM
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dialectical_Materialism/16-04/2012/2.53PM
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/dialectical+materialism/16-04-2012/2.59PM
http://www.answers.com/topic/dialectical-materialism#ixzz1sCdIUroP/16-04-2012/3.13PM
http://cec.vcn.bc.ca/cmp/modules/soc-dia.htm/16-04/2012/2:07PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegelianism/01:14PM/16-04-2012
http://www.marxism.org.uk/pack/dialetics.html/16-04-2012/2:22PM
http://marxmyths.org/jordan/article.htm/16-04-2012/2.32PM
http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-6/mswv6_30.htm/16-04-2012/2:51PM
http://www.marxist.com/what-is-dialectical-materialism.htm/16-04-2012/2.15PM
INTRODUCTION
- Background of sociological theory
- Definition of the key concept; Theory and Sociological Theory.
MAIN BODY
- Origin and Development of Dialectical Materialism
- Dialectical Materialism
- Criticism
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
Sociologists develop theories to explain social phenomena. Sociological theory divided into two categories based on period formed such as “Classical Sociological Theory and Modern Sociological Theory” whereby Classical sociological theory are theories formed between 1800’s and 1900’s including the following classical thinkers; Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, and Georg Simmel, and it was the period where August Comte (1798-1857) raised up and introduces the concept of “sociology”. Theories formed during this period are Functionalism, Suicide, Bureaucracy, conflict theory and social change. And Modern Sociological Theory are those modern theories formed in 1900 to present, and also these theories either developed from classical sociological theories or new theories; these are New-evolutionism, Structure functionalism, and Contemporary feminist Theory.
A theory is a proposed relationship between two or more concepts. In other words, a theory is explanation for why a phenomenon occurs. In sociology, sociological theories are complex theoretical and methodological frameworks, used to analyze and explain objects of social study, and facilitate organizing sociological knowledge. Sociological theory is constantly evolving, therefore it can never be presumed to be complete. It can involve analysis at a macro-level, which focuses on social structures shaping the society or at a micro-level which is a close-up study on social interaction taking place in specific situations.
Robert O. Keel, (2001), also explained sociological theory in two Theoretical Orientations: Grand Theories and Theories of Everyday Life. Grand theories (for example: the work of Karl Marx and Max Weber) are attempts to deal with society as a whole--to explain the structure of the system and the processes of change that produce what we call, human history. Theories of everyday life focus on, sometimes mundane, human behavior in an attempt to explain individual action and interaction between individuals; as well as beliefs, attitudes, and values within the context of groups and the broader social system.
DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPT
Theory is a statement or statement of how and why specific facts are related (Macionis, 1997:15)
Zerihun Doda (2005), defined theory as a set of interconnected hypotheses that offer general explanations for natural or social phenomena.
(http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/social-theory)
Sociological theory is defined as a set of interrelated ideas that allows for systematization of knowledge of the social world. This knowledge is used to explain the social world and make prediction about the future of the social world (Robert O. Keel, 2011).
Sociological theories are complex theoretical and methodological frameworks used to analyze and explain object of social study. Examples of sociological theories are conflict theory, critical theory, feminist theory, functionalism theory, and rational choice theory (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/introduction-to-sociological-theory)
Therefore, sociological theory can be defined as a complex theoretical framework that is used to explain social theories through empirical formula (scientific method) and making judgments.
DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM
ORIGIN
Dialectics comes from the Greek word “dialego”, to discourse, to debate. In ancient times dialectics was the art of arriving at the truth by disclosing the contradictions in the argument of an opponent and overcoming these contradictions. There were philosophers in ancient times who believed that the disclosure of contradictions in thought and the clash of opposite opinions was the best method of arriving at the truth. This dialectical method of thought, later extended to the phenomena of nature, developed into the dialectical method of apprehending nature, which regards the phenomena of nature as being in constant movement and undergoing constant change, and the development of nature as the result of the development of the contradictions in nature, as the result of the interaction of opposed forces in nature (J. V. Stalin September 1938).
DEVELOPMENT DIALECTIC MATERIALISM
Dialectical materialism emerged in the 1840’s, when the proletariat’s struggle for its social liberation imperiously demanded some knowledge of the laws of development of society. This was impossible without materialist dialectics and the materialist explanation of history. The founders of dialectical materialism, Karl Marx and Fredrick Engel’s, subjected social reality to a profound, thoroughgoing analysis, critically reworking and assimilating everything positive that had been achieved previously in the areas of philosophy and history and creating a qualitatively new world view that became the philosophical basis for the theory of scientific communism and for the practical activity of the revolutionary workers’ movement. Marx and Engel’s were developing dialectical materialism in a sharp ideological struggle against various forms of the bourgeois world view,(Spirkin, A. G, 2010).
Dialectics is a method of thinking and interpreting the world of both nature and society. Dialectical materialism supposes that all phenomena consist of matter in motion. Motion itself is the result of the contradictions inherent among the elements in all objects, (http://www.answers.com/topic/dialectical-materialism#ixzz1sCdIUroP). It is a way of looking at the universe, which sets out from the axiom that everything is in a constant state of change and flux. But not only that, Dialectics explains that change and motion involve contradiction and can only take place through contradictions, (http://www.marxist.com/science-old/dialecticalmaterialism.html).
Historically the word Dialecting materialism were explained in 500 B.C. by early Greeks thinkers such as Plato, Zenon, and Aristotle whereby defined Dialecal means “constant state of change and that change unfold through a series of contruction, (V. I. Lenin, 1908) or (http://www.socialistappeal.org/dialectical-materialism). The Philosophical approach expressed through the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and later by Georgy Plekhanov, Vladimir Ilich Lenin, and Joseph Stalin, the official philosophy of communism.
Dialectical Materialism is the world view of the proletariat. At the same time it is the method of the proletariat for taking cognizance of the surrounding world, and the method of revolutionary action of the proletariat. It is the unity of world view and methodology, (Mao Zedong, 1938).
Dialectical materialism is the work of Karl Marx (1818-1883) a Germany thinker who developed from the work of George Hegel (1770-1831). Dialectical Materialism involves two words such as “Dialectical and Materialism” which stand as follow; “Dialectical”: This denotes that the basis of society is conflict. Marx identified that conflict as class conflict that established by property. And “Materialism”: This denotes that there are no spiritual forces, no divine guidance or intervention, (Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, 1848, in the Book “The Communist Manifesto). Also "Dialectics is nothing more than the science of the general laws of motion and development of nature, human society and thought." (Engel’s: ‘Anti-Duhring).
Dialectical materialism is derived from Hegel’s idea that history follows a pattern of progress through (ideological) conflict-“thesis, antithesis, synthesis”-called the dialectic and Feuerbach’s idea, called materialism, that the ideas that people come up with their ways of making sense of the material conditions they are in, (Udayan Roy, 2007).
"Hegel's dialectic often appears broken up for convenience into three moments called "thesis" (in the French historical example, the revolution), "antithesis" (the terror which followed), and "synthesis" (the constitutional state of free citizens). Hegel scholarship does not recognize the usefulness of this triadic classification for shedding light on Hegel's thought. Although Hegel refers to "the two elemental considerations: first, the idea of freedom as the absolute and final aim; secondly, the means for realising it, i.e. the subjective side of knowledge and will, with its life, movement, and activity" (thesis and antithesis), he doesn't use "synthesis" but instead speaks of the "Whole", (Niki Raapana and Nordica Friedrich, October 2005/ http://nord.twu.net/acl/standfor.html)
The thesis is an intellectual proposition, The antithesis is simply the negation (contradiction or dineal) of the thesis, a reaction to the proposition.The synthesis solves the conflict between the thesis and antithesis by reconciling their common truths, and forming a newproposition, (Guernica, 1937) and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, (1770-1831).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis,_antithesis,_synthesis).
The dialectic materialism is regarded as the consolidation of Marx and Engel’s main idea is scientific philosophers. Dialectical materialism is one of the basic principles on of Marx “Dialectic” literally means discussion. Dialectic is the study of contradiction which lies at the very heart of existence, (Shankar Rao, 2006).
Hegel’s dialectic with dialectical materialism: society’s form is determined by the means of production used. Marx’s Dialectical materialism takes society through a fixed sequence of stages: savagery, barbarism, feudalism, capitalism, socialism and communism. Each stage, except the last, is characterised by the dominance of a particular class, (Thomas Edison, 1922).
The three main ingredients of Marx’s theory are:-
Productive Forces; natural resources and technology. Productive forces can change when there are discoveries, inventions, and conquests of other countries and colonization of other lands.
Mode of Production; economic system. The most important thing to look for in an economic system is the relation between and the distribution of power among the various classes.
Ideological Superstructure; government, law, politics, religion, art, literature, philosophy, and science. When productive forces change, the mode of production needs to change. This is because for every set of productive forces there is a unique set of class relations that is appropriate. That is, for every set of productive forces there is a unique distribution of power among the various classes.(Udayan Roy, 2007).
Combines ideas of Hegel (dialectic process), Feuerbach (reality is material), and Saint-Simone (relationship between classes).Marx’s idea: History is the result of a constant tension between the economic interests of two classes: the owning/governing class and the producing/exploited class; the process by which change occurs is dialectical. The dialectical process has occurred over “five epochs of history”, these are:-primitive/communal, slave, feudal, capitalist, socialist/communist. Marx believed his theory was scientific: because he uncovered the economic laws of motion of society, he could predict the future development of society, (Guernica, 1937; Pablo Picasso).
Dialectics is the science of the general and abstract laws of the development of nature, society, and thought. Its principal features are:
1. The universe is not a disconnected mix of things isolated from each other, but an integral whole, with the result that things are interdependent.
2. Nature - the natural world or cosmos - is in a state of constant motion: "All nature, from the smallest thing to the biggest, from a grain of sand to the sun, from the protista to man, is in a constant state of coming into being and going out of being, in a constant flux, in a ceaseless state of movement and change", (Friedrich Engel’s, Dialectics of Nature).
3) Development is a process whereby insignificant and imperceptible quantitative changes lead to fundamental, qualitative changes. The latter occur not gradually, but rapidly and abruptly, in the form of a leap from one state to another. A simple example from the physical world might be the heating of water: a one degree increase in temperature is a quantitive change, but at 100 degrees there is a qualitative change - water to steam. "Merely quantitative differences, beyond a certain point, pass into qualitative changes." --Karl Marx, Capital, Vol. 1.
4) All things contain within themselves internal dialectical contradictions, which are the primary cause of motion, change, and development in the world.
And also, Engel’s gives an account of the laws of dialectics, beginning with the three most fundamental ones: The law of the unity and conflict of opposites, The law of the passage of quantitative changes into qualitative changes, and The law of the negation of the negation, (http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Dialectical_materialism) and Ernst Mayr, 1990s in the book “Roots of Dialectical Materialism”, and J. V. Stalin, 1938 “Dialectical and Historical Materialism”.
Historical materialism was applied in Russia as well as Chinese. The Chinese proletariat, having assumed at the present time the historical task of the bourgeois-democratic revolution, must make use of dialectical materialism as its mental arm, (Mao Zedong, 1938, Dialectical Materialism, Translated by Foreign Language Press, Peking).
CRITICISM
- Bourgeoisie ideologists, seeing dialectical materialism as a fundamental obstacle to the spread of their views. Dialectical materialism was under Karl Mark among of the founder of socialism, and they believed that society change the result of contradiction between two classes such as they have and they have not including capitalist class and proletariat where this concept influence workers to struggle against evils done by bourgeoisie.
- Dialectical materialism seeing as idealism, as a result it denies Marxism being exercised in the social histories and cultural traditions of different nations and countries. For example, they believe that, development comes as a result of contradiction or revolution. This is idealistic, because development may come without contradiction but what is needed is sacrificed people for their nation and also development as a result of many things including improvement of food, clothes, education, health, and shelter.
- Dialectical materialism regard contradiction is a source of development. This is against functionalism and bureaucracy. Functionalism insists to work together as “organ” where by it is interdependence. So, through contraction under dialectical materialism will lead to the distraction of development achieved. Foe Example in Libya where these methods were used; properties like industries, roads, ports, and public offices were distorted badly, hence backwardness of development reached in that country.
- Dialectical materialism denied the harmony/ peace existed in the society for a long period of time. This is due to championing revolution or contradiction is the key factors for attaining development hence various group of labels emerging in the society so as to overthrown an existing government as a result harmony or piece disappears. Examples are Syria, and Bahrain where labels fight against existing government until today.
CONCLUSION
In its struggle against bourgeois philosophy, as against contemporary revisionism and dogmatism, Marxism consistently adheres to the principle of the partiinost’ of philosophy, viewing the philosophy of dialectical materialism as a scientific weapons in the hands of the working class and toiling masses who are struggling for their liberation from capitalism and for the victory of communism.
REFERENCES
Macionis, J. J. and Plummer, K. (2008), Sociology “A Global Introduction”, 4th Edition,
London, Pearson Education Limited.
Ritzer, G. and Goodman, J. D. (2004c), Sociological Theory, 6th Edition, University of
Maryland & Puget Sound, McGraw Hill Publisher
Shankar Rao, C. N. (2006),Sociology: a principles of sociology with an introduction to
Social thought, 6th Edition, Indian university, Rejendra Ravindra and S. Chand
Press.
Zerihun Doda (2005), Introduction To Social Cultural Anthropology, Debub University,
EPHT (Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative) Press
http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Dialectical_materialism/16-04-2012/3.18PM
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/161209/dialectical-materialism/16-04-2012/2:30
http://www.marxist.com/science-old/dialecticalmaterialism.html/16-04-2012/2:10PM
http://www.rcgfrfi.easynet.co.uk/marxism/articles/f87-dm.htm/16-04-2012/2:20PM
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dialectical_materialism/16-04-2012/2:47PM
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dialectical_Materialism/16-04/2012/2.53PM
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/dialectical+materialism/16-04-2012/2.59PM
http://www.answers.com/topic/dialectical-materialism#ixzz1sCdIUroP/16-04-2012/3.13PM
http://cec.vcn.bc.ca/cmp/modules/soc-dia.htm/16-04/2012/2:07PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegelianism/01:14PM/16-04-2012
http://www.marxism.org.uk/pack/dialetics.html/16-04-2012/2:22PM
http://marxmyths.org/jordan/article.htm/16-04-2012/2.32PM
http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-6/mswv6_30.htm/16-04-2012/2:51PM
http://www.marxist.com/what-is-dialectical-materialism.htm/16-04-2012/2.15PM
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Wow,great post.
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