Question on Marx Materialism..

[Dominicana_1965]

Im reading the book called Marx's Concept of Man and in the historical materialism chapter it says that Materialism is not about materials or greedyness etc.

It says "In philosophical terminology, "materialism" refers to a philosophic view which holds that matter in motion is the fundamental constituent of the universe."

Can some please break this down for me?

If it is possible explain to me more about Marx's Materialism philosophy and its true meaning lol :D

[which doctor]

It's the idea that all things can be explained logically and rationally, without superstition, religion, etc. All things are tangible and can be explained and understood. Things are the results of material interactions.

Most materialists are athiest, or at the very least agnostic, and do not believe in the supernatural.

[Dominicana_1965]

Originally posted by [email protected] 04, 2006 12:51 am
It's the idea that all things can be explained logically and rationally, without superstition, religion, etc. All things are tangible and can be explained and understood. Things are the results of material interactions.

Most materialists are athiest, or at the very least agnostic, and do not believe in the supernatural.
Muchas gracias amigo

[Severian]

Originally posted by [email protected] 03, 2006 06:40 pm
Im reading the book called Marx's Concept of Man and in the historical materialism chapter it says that Materialism is not about materials or greedyness etc.

It says "In philosophical terminology, "materialism" refers to a philosophic view which holds that matter in motion is the fundamental constituent of the universe."
Besides what FoB says: it also implies ideas are mostly derived from the physical world, not the other way around. For example, in history Marx argued the development of ideas and political changes were mostly driven by economic factors. (Should not be oversimplified: Marx acknowledged there were other factors - and ideas and politics turns around and affect economics, too.)
More on materialism (http://www.marxists.org/glossary/terms/m/a.htm#materialism)

I gotta tell you: a lot of books about Marx get it dead wrong. I don't think Fromm is an exception.

Reading stuff by Marx is really the best way....

[bloody_capitalist_sham]

You should also be aware that its the opposite from the other philosphy which is Idealsim.

That basically that the power of the idea or human Will can change things.

Marxists and most anarchists reject idealism totally.

Just to make it clear, when someone says " the war fought between nation A and Nation B was a religious war" is an idealist explanation. They are essentially saying that religion can motivate people to go to war, whereas a materialist wouldnt agree with the example.

[Hit The North]

You should also be aware that its the opposite from the other philosphy which is Idealsim.

But you should also realize that Marxist materialism is opposed to the old mechanical materialism which is the true opposite of idealism. Marx's materialism draws out a dialectical relationship between objective, material reality and the realm of subjective mind. Mind arises from physical matter but is not reducible to it - it is qualitatively different. Moreover, objective reality and mental subjectivity are united through sensuous human practice: in changing his material circumstances, man also changes himself.


Just to make it clear, when someone says " the war fought between nation A and Nation B was a religious war" is an idealist explanation. They are essentially saying that religion can motivate people to go to war, whereas a materialist wouldnt agree with the example.

It certainly is the case that religious ideology can motivate people to go to war - otherwise we could disregard ideology altogether. Nevertheless, Marxist materialism would argue that ideas only have real motivating force when they express, often in a distorted form, underlying material interests.

Severian is correct in directing you to Marx's own writings on this matter. A good starting point can be found if you CLICK HERE (http://www.marxists.org.uk/archive/marx/works/subject/hist-mat/index.htm)

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Trinitario, if you believe Z, then the Brothers Grimm should be no problem:


Marx's materialism draws out a dialectical relationship between objective, material reality and the realm of subjective mind. Mind arises from physical matter but is not reducible to it - it is qualitatively different.

Check out this thread, and the ones associated with it, for a thorough trashing of such anti-materialist ideas:

http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?showtopic=57319

However, both Severian and Z were right, Marx (not Hegelian 'Marxism') is the best thing to read on this.

[Dominicana_1965]

Thank you all.
And ill make sure to check out those links

[rouchambeau]

It's the idea that all things can be explained logically and rationally, without superstition, religion, etc. All things are tangible and can be explained and understood. Things are the results of material interactions.

WRONG WRONG WRONG
I don't mean to type in all caps but this is pretty serious. Materialism is the belief that there are things that cannot be explained or rationalized. Idealism is the belief that all things can be "explained logically and rationally".


You should also be aware that its the opposite from the other philosphy which is Idealsim.

That basically that the power of the idea or human Will can change things.

Marxists and most anarchists reject idealism totally.

Where do you get that idea from?

[BreadBros]

I don't mean to type in all caps but this is pretty serious. Materialism is the belief that there are things that cannot be explained or rationalized.

What do you mean? I dont know about "rationalized", and of course certain things are beyond our understanding because of physical limitations on observation, but Im fairly certain materialism concerns itself with the fact that all things can be explained in material terms.


Idealism is the belief that all things can be "explained logically and rationally".

Care to elaborate? You cant just leave us hanging like that.

[Aurora]

I really hope rouchambeau was joking :huh:

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Anarion, trust me, his ideas were too confused to be a joke.

[rouchambeau]

I suppose I spoke a little too soon about materialism. I was thinking about materialism as far as metaphysics goes, not as Marx meant it.

As far as idealism, I was also talking about metaphysics.

Sorry everyone.