> Why should we, as socialists or Marxists, adopt such a perspective?
> In what way does it contribute to the struggle for socialism?
> Lew
Lew,
The importance of dialectical materialism to the struggle for
socialism is in my opinion twofold.
First, people like Engles wanted to appeal to the broad and popular
interest in science and philosophy which - although it is not as
important as it was in the 19th century - is still an significant
part of the political and ideological situation. This is even more
important if one believes the Communist Manifesto claim that:
'A portion of the bourgeois goes over to the proletariat, and in
particular, a portion of the bourgeois ideologists, who have raised
themselves to the level of comprehending theoretically the historical
movement as a whole.'
This section (perhaps like Engels himself) clearly will not be won
over by the economic circumstances but by the validity of Marxism as a
science which is consistent, rational and comprehensive.
Second, is the linked point, that Marxism is not just the same as some
more moralistic socialist political ideologies which seek to win over
sympathetic individuals who feel sorry for (or even responsible for)
the misery of the poor. Such as Fabian socialism, social democracy,
paternalism and forms of anarchism and liberalism.
Marxism aimed to be a scientific socialism. It theories were based
upon an actual explaination of the universe and human society which
will operate regardless of our wishes. It does not argue what sought
of society we OUGHT to have but what we will have. Fact replaces
hope.
Any science or philosophy (natural philosophy was still used to
encompass both) which makes any sense and relates to the real world
must, if it is to be accepted, be all inclusive. One cannot have a
science of human society whose theories do not transfer correctly to
the rest of the natural world (unless one argues that humans are
super-natural).
That (as perhaps a (peti-)'bourgeois ideologist' myself) is why I
think dialectical materialism is still important to Marxism if it is
not to be merely a utopian philosophy (which is how many still appear
to think it is).
Regards,
John Walker.
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