Materialism and the Dialectical Method.

by maurice-cornforth

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Philosophy, Theory, Politics, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Originally given as lectures for British Communist Party members in 1950, this little book is mainly interesting as a document of the Stalinist Orthodoxy. It starts mildly interestingly, but soon deteriorates into awkward legitimation of dialectics as a 'natural' science. If the quotations from Engel's questionable Dialectics of Nature, Lenin's equally questionable Materialism and Empirio-Criticism--not to mention multiple references to Stalin's Dialectical and Historical Materialism--are not enough to put you off, then perhaps the reference to Lysenko as the discoverer of proper laws of nature does the trick. Should have read this before buying the other two installments.

[Mohammad Dashti · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب مهم جداً ، بل ضروري ، لكل ماركسي او مهتم بالماركسية ، كتاب رائع وسهل وعميق وموجز ، هنا تفهم جوهر النظرية الماركسية بعيداً عن تعقيدات الرفاق وغموضهم.

[Kyaw Zayar Lwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and concise introduction to Marxism

[Zeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

overall really good, just some outdate ideas about sciences (makes sense as it was published in 1953)

[Victor Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting way too much from this work. I personally wouldn't recommend this as an introduction.

It absolutely butchers what Idealism is which just adds to confusion as to what "idealism" even means. Idealism, especially the more serious strands, are not the "subjective Idealism" or "religious" systems that Cornforth disparages in the first chapters; in fact, one could argue that the Idealism after Kant basically goes too far and basically negates subjectivity (be that of "God" or of individuals as they all fall into the development of the concept).

The idea of what "Metaphysics" also is woefully left unexplored as well, it has also been a source of confusion for a lot of people since the typical Marxist usage of the term isa little distinct from how other schools of philosophy use it.

At least the newer editions did some editing and self-criticism and point out that Lysenko was wrong since those statements aged poorly lol

Lots of stuff that's not particularly new or exciting. You might as well read the O.G works by Hegel, Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mao, etc.

[dănuț]

feeling a little dialectical rn perhaps a bit materialistic

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good matieral to understand dialectical materialism.

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory work for those who want to learn more about materialism and Marxist dialectics. Part 1 starts by Cornforth drawing a sketch of what must be the proletariat's philosophy, i.e dialectical materialism. He then contrasts idealism with materialism, and subsequently a distinction between mechanistic materialism and dialectical materialism. Part 2 contrasts dialectics with metaphysics and discusses the primary intricacies of dialectics. If you are a beginner and struggle to understand Marxist philosophy, this book is incredible.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

accessible and interesting introduction to Materialism and the Dialectical Method, a founding principle of Marxist philosophy.

[Praveen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book begins by explaining the need for proletariat philosophy. Then it takes several examples comparing natural science and dialectical materialism to convince the readers that dialectical materialism is a science by quoting Engles and Lenin many times. With such an analogy, concluding that Marxism is a science, the 'science of society'. The usual ways of classical Marxists embracing the scientific way and dismissing philosophy as an abstract concept is by putting science above philosophy, "Dialectical materialism is in no sense a philosophy "above science".
Of course, the book explores the basics of Dialectical materialism and discusses various concepts such as contradiction, negation, and scientific outlook. At the introductory level, the book serves its purpose well.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very understandable introduction to Marxist theory, but that certainly does not mean that this should be your first book about or experience with Marxism/socialism. The author has "tried to confine [him]self to a straightforward exposition of the leading ideas of dialectical materialism" - meaning he is not trying his hardest to defend Marxism, but is rather trying to advance the theoretical underpinnings of committed socialists.

For an introduction to socialist history, theory and practice, one might for example refer to Michael Parenti's Blackshirts and Reds.

[Calvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The materialism piece was dead on arrival. Modern quantum mechanics has proven that materialism is an incomplete framework for reality and we have technology born of non-materialist fruit.

The dialectical piece is more interesting, but I don't think the process has to be as volatile as described here. Balance can be "dialed" in between two opposing forces instead of one constantly dominating or supplanting the other.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly adequate for its time and place.

[Najmi Indot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty concise in explaining terms, really learned a lot from this book.

[Claudio Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

excelente libro para comenzar a entender la filosofía del Marxismo: el materialismo dielectico.

[Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

begins with some good exposition on the philosophy, ends with several chapters just asserting how this philosophy is the solution to all problems.
I wish it showed how.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on Stalin’s stuff

[Zach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cornforth does an excellent job laying out the essence of what defines dialectical materialism, viewing all nature as processes that are simultaneously unfolding in relation to one another. However, his views on metaphysics and idealist philosophy are poorly thought out and do not represent those fields accurately.

While this book is good, Stalin's treatise on Dialectical and Historical Materialism is far superior.

[Jonah Marcus · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

This books comes across as an impatient polemic that simply dismisses any theory that the author does not subscribe to. It would be helpful if he demonstrated why dialectical materialism solves the problems presented by other theories rather than just dismissing the theories as obviously wrong. Because his writing is so arrogant, dismissive, and impatient the tone of the book felt like something from Ayn Rand.

[Michael Skora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I doubt I will ever really understand dialectics unless I study 19th century German philosophy for a decade or so (maybe not even then), but at least I now have somewhat of an idea what it is.