Ask Prof Wolff: Defining Historical and Dialectical Materialism

A patron of Economic Update asks: "Can you breakdown historical materialism and dialectics."
This is Professor Richard Wolff's video response.
Submit your own question to be considered for a video response by Prof. Wolff on Patreon: / community .
Ask Prof Wolff is a @democracyatwrk production. We are committed to providing these videos to you free of ads. Please consider supporting us on Patreon.com/economicupdate. Become a part of the growing Patreon community and gain access to exclusive patron-only content, along with the ability to ask Prof. Wolff questions like this one! Your support also helps keep this content free to the public. Spreading Prof. Wolff's message is more important than ever. Help us continue to make this possible.
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Learn more about Prof Wolff's new book, "The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Fails to Save Us from Pandemics or Itself," available now at www.democracyatwork.info/books
“A magnificent source of hope and insight.” Yanis Varoufakis, Greek economist, academic, philosopher, politician, author of Talking to my daughter about the economy.
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[@franciswong3330]

Professor Wolff , you are the most prolific teacher I have ever come across. Please don't ever retire. Im 80 years old.

[@meowwwww6350]

He is a legend

[@Sincerely_MrX]

He’s a doofus, I wish he’d debate Thomas Sowell

[@patriciafarrow9586]

@@Sincerely_MrX It would be an interesting discussion - but I disagree with your opinion of Wolff.

[@Sincerely_MrX]

@@patriciafarrow9586 My issue with him is the lack of evidence for any claim he makes. He’s essentially made of rhetoric, and I don’t think his reputation would survive an encounter with Thomas Sowell or Larry Elder for that matter.

[@IosuamacaMhadaidh]

@@Sincerely_MrX which claims do you speak of? Maybe someone can help point you in the right directions for answers to your questions. Also, if you disagree with Wolff, that's ok, but he's not a doofus just because he reaches different conclusions than you.

[@franciscofrancesco7844]

This is the first time I understand what "dialectical materialism" is. Great explanation and examples! Thank you, Proff Wolff.

[@TrichordoKostas]

You'll never see the world the same way again man, you see it in literally every field of science

[@thebrainsquid]

Same here. I always got the feeling most people online screaming the phrase "DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM" all the time have either a poor understanding of what it is or none at all, because they're never able to actually define it. Instead they just opt to use a lot of nominalizations and jargon to make it sound like you're just not smart enough to understand.

[@pelothewitness]

He explains like I'm 5 and I needed that

[@NoahBodze]

It’s just further proof Hayek was right - that if socialists understood economics they wouldn’t be socialists. How do you not see the complexity of a production on market enough to think NO ONE - not a dictator, nor a vanguard - can even understand it much less control it.

[@mrzack888]

@@TrichordoKostas Wachowski siblings studied philosophy of german idealism and marxism I bet. The movie trilogy Matrix and Jupiter ascending go into such topics but the average layman audience cant spot it due to their lack of education.

[@MarvinRoman]

Never heard from it explained this way before. Dialectical materialism has so far been a hard concept to grasp.

[@meowwwww6350]

You can read the book by Maurice conforth named materialism and the dialectical method the book is so simple and easy to grasp and available in PDF format in Marxist. Org

[@intiillimani8673]

I recommend you to watch the video "how to think like s vietnamese communist" by Luna Oi. Explains dialectical materialism in a more fun way

[@memeking8734]

Prof Wolff is truly the GOAT, explains things simply and eloquently. no need for any extra fluff

[@clarestucki5151]

memeking AND, occasionally he actually gets one right!

[@VerdantSerpents]

Kinda wish some of that simplicity and eloquence were present during the Destiny debate

[@PalaeoJoe]

He is pretty great, but don't restrict your education about Socialism to one person.

[@ColorMatching]

@@VerdantSerpents "debate"

[@stephendavis5530]

@@VerdantSerpents It was on one side. Certainly not on Destiny's side.

[@loiswilcken1758]

Wow! It takes a lot of talent to communicate big ideas in such a straightforward way. With gratitude, Prof. Wolff.

[@alanfriesen9837]

That's kind of the point of being a professor.

[@carcar97]

@@alanfriesen9837 Not all do such thing however

[@meowwwww6350]

I think Mr Richard wolff must write a book on dialectics and historical materialism cause his explanation contains the real essence of it and also a simplicity in explaining things.

[@NathanDudani]

Nice Engels photo

[@meowwwww6350]

@@NathanDudani thanks

[@meowwwww6350]

@Rich H may be a book is a deep and concrete analysis 😏

[@jameshall4598]

The Science of Revolution contains much on the two concepts

[@oscarstrokosz2986]

Stalin's book on the topic is pretty much that; definitely recommend listening to Dialectical and Historical Materialism as an audiobook on youtube

[@alokekumarbanerjee9175]

whenever i listen to you i feel the absence of a teacher like you here in our country , india

[@chivalrous_chevy1163]

I was stoned when I listened to this, so this episode hit especially hard when I listened to it.

[@SyncrisisVideos]

that's the idea

[@Music34897]

Richard Wolff always hits harder when you're stoned. Especially in school haha

[@pudsla9427]

Nothin like marxism and weed, the brilliant analyses presented by marxist thinkers past and present blow your fuckin mind when you're off an edible

[@TM-ut7sj]

🙏 Professor Wolff, the 5 minute I spent on this video was more productive than reading many books on the subject.

[@minimenon8109]

I've been trying to really understand Dialectical Materialism for months now, and finally I did. You've broken it down in a way that even someone like me could make sense. Thank you so much!

[@ruelow]

Having had it broken down this clearly, I’m nearly wondering why I was struggling to grasp this before. Thank you.

[@remediossantos9847]

Wow! What a great and profound response to a very equally great question. Prof Wolf, you have connected the dots for me between these two ideas. Very much a yin (materialism) and a yang (idealism/spirituality) aspects of life!

[@itzenormous]

If you want to understand these terms, then read Joseph Stalin's pamphlet by the same name "Dialectical and Historical Materialism." He quite succinctly lays it all out and defines it so that the layman can understand it.

[@JohnT.4321]

The article can be found here: www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1938/09.htm

[@geekymedia1614]

Professor, Could you please talk about the works of Murray Bookchin and your opinion of him if possible? And your opinion of the rise in cooperatives in the European Union

[@kosherwhitewine5879]

yes!

[@emhu2594]

You have be on patreon to ask a question.

[@geekymedia1614]

@@emhu2594 I'm not :(

[@MonoFrutti]

EU should really do more to incentivize cooperatives, as of now there is no fund that would provide capital investments exclusively for cooperatives.

[@geekymedia1614]

@@MonoFrutti Its still gaining considerable steam in the housing and retail sector

[@razerone49]

I get better educated from Prof. Wolf’s KZbin videos than I get from all of my other sources of online information combined. Thank you for taking the time to create these videos and educate us in such a clear, concise and easy to understand fashion (especially for those of us who aren’t at all familiar with these topics).

[@user-rq4jz3or4t]

That was the most precise and simple explanation I have ever seen , thanks professor

[@jimmytimmy3680]

Superb explanation! Thanks Prof.Wolff

[@MonoFrutti]

Thank you prof. Wolff. I have studied philosophy and sociology in an ex-YU country and these concepts are sidelined to metaphysics. You are combining them with economics again, as they should have been applied.

[@TennesseeJed]

Astute explanation as usual sir! It is wonderful to have the lecture time of such a learned person available to a proletariat like myself! Professor Wolf is changing the world one mind at a time.

[@blessygeorge9769]

The first time I was actually able to understand dialectical materialism and historical materialism. A huge thank you. You are a great tutor.

[@leomiri1]

what an awesome explanation, so simply put and eloquent

[@realdanrusso]

Great video, simply put! Would love to hear you discuss the Western Marxist (post-WWI and post-WII) development of the dialectic into one that may or may not have lost touch with the intended focus on material analyses. You know, the Frankfurt School, neo-Marxist, cultural-focused people and the post-structuralists.

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Excellent question very clear answer. Thank you

[@gwenkelly1654]

I love the way he disect and get to the subject matter. Very intelligent and informative.

[@NEdumpling]

thank you so much for making this so much easier to understand!

[@donjohnstone3707]

Very well explained. Thank you Professor Wolff. Keep up your good work.

[@kosherwhitewine5879]

based

[@catherinegoodsett-wein3313]

Thank you ,Dr. Wolff for your much needed discussion about the dialectics of debate. Hopefully reality will catch up with us and we will be able to question, critically the choices that we make in order to maintain an inhabitable planet.

[@nestorespaillat9204]

Thank you Prof. Wolff, I’ve heard many people try to define Dialectic Materialism, but only now thanks to your explanation I finally have a confident understanding.

[@phishback]

Thank you for that concise and insightful lesson!

[@plumjade4584]

Bravo! Professor Wolff your answer is extremely helpful and thanks to the person who raised the question that has perplexed so many. The asker certainly knew who and what to ask.

[@josephschaumberg4136]

Thank you for the wonderful lesson.

[@geraldmeehan8942]

Thank you for clarifying sir

[@marioestrada2233]

Thank you so much, this is the first time I really understand those concepts. Now I am a bit less ignorant! Keep up the great work!

[@DeElSendero]

A truly great teacher!

[@lutherdean6922]

Thanks for sharing this

[@Gigika313]

Thank you.

[@jerryjones7293]

Thank you for making these terms more accessible.

[@davepuxley7387]

Thank you!

[@sethshaffer681]

This was great, I've heard dialectical materialism defined/explained probably a dozen times before and never really got it until now.

[@AdityapratapBiswas]

Sir the way you made it so clear I'm extremely thankful to you and I just wish I had you as my Political Science Professor and could've learnt in person from you

[@johnconnors4508]

Thank you Professor Wolff! I had a hard time following but I think I got it.

[@bewitched9408]

I’m amazed how Professor Wolff can explain complex philosophical concepts in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. Thank you Professor!

[@ernestinaowusu-ansah937]

I love how you explained everything ❤I have watched several videos to get understanding but I wasn't getting it.Thank you so much

[@kapilchaudaha9679]

Excellent explanation: brief, simple, comprehensive.

[@davidball7712]

Excellent! Dead to center. A superb explainer of which it was 45 years ago it was taught to me with such beauty and simplicity by one lone professor eventually fired by the college for so called indoctrinating his students with quote" ideology ".

[@anthonycarbonaro7890]

Very excellent presentation. Thank You 🙏

[@ivanoech]

Professor Wolff you are a marvell in explaining concepts and theories, etc that has to do with marxismo, what have to do with today events, economic, materialism and what is happening today world. I thanks very much to you for all you have done to make as understand why, what and how things happens in the world we live in. Also thanks to my brother who recommended to watch your videos. I am an avid reader and I have been all my life since I learn how to read. When I was young I read the most famous authors and the best like Charles Dickens, Victor Hugo, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Also there is a Chilean writer who wrote about the land and the mine. His books more known are "Sub terra" about mine and "Sub sole" about the land. His name was Baldomero Lillo All of these authors and more had taught me about the life of the working class, the poor and the world where they live. Karl Marx live in England so he could see with his own eyes about the conditions of workplace and the place where they lived.

[@mohamedkhrarba3691]

Thanks for the question and thanks to this great teacher thinker mister wolf. Very good explication. Merci

[@sandanista2002]

Breaking down complex theories in under 10 minutes that is easily understood. This was a master class in teaching. Thank you so much

[@Lilassyjr]

Thank you sir.

[@renatanovato9460]

Thanks, it clarified a lot the concept for me.

[@wbarreguy]

Thank you, Professor Wolff. I have never heard this explained so clearly and effectively.

[@lycahtorres4226]

I have a report and this really helped me out! Thank you Prof Wolff!

[@InMyRestlessDreams2048]

Thank you very much for this very clear explanation. There are many attempts to explain dialectical materialism on youtube and most of them aren't very effective.

[@Dsonsee]

Great and very accessible explanation

[@tomasgunka1691]

The best explanation I ever heard! Thank you prof Wolff!

[@zionwoniaye7198]

Thank you

[@HLSimon]

Thanks!

[@wilsonperalta7521]

Very precise explanation.

[@FireflySA]

Thank you professor

[@premiumteacher742]

Thank you Prof this was a great insightful explanation.

[@alanalam5597]

Cannot thank you enough Professor Wolff! I had never understood what was meant by dialectical!

[@xxyy6369]

Excellent explanation!

[@ambroshdev7737]

Thank you ,Proff Wolff. What an explanation

[@bellaf5684]

such a gifted teacher

[@mauibill7233]

From a Buddhist's point of view (mine) there is no difference between the material world and the mind. They are one and the same. Mind cannot exist without the material world. During that era, the German philosophers were being highly influenced by eastern philosophies. Most of them mis-interpreted them, unfortunately.

[@pratisthapathak3534]

Thankyou so much professor for making me understand this hard concept of dialectical materialism very easily in just 9 minutes of video.

[@Caleb-ek4fx]

Incredible teaching skills

[@ajaykc004]

Best lecture i have listened to in my life

[@adeshchaudhary6111]

Best explanation

[@stellaanuoluwa2397]

Never heard any better explanation thank you so much Prof Wolff

[@rebeccafullver]

Very clear explanation!

[@yashpradhan9232]

The ideas come from the mind , mind exists in the body and the body needs to satisfy its material needs to exist .

[@saddoro4138]

Very good breakdown

[@bundleofperceptions1397]

It seems like the material creates reality, and ideas shape and change the parts of reality we have the power to shape and change.

[@cliffordmaxwell9802]

Cant get the Madonna song out of my head now after watching this episode. You rock Professor Wolff!

[@lentoperoavanzo4007]

Making that joke is a necessary step in the development of class consciousness that all western Marxists have gone through since the mid 80s.

[@OrElseEllipsis1945]

An excellent and concise explanation of historical and dialectic materialism!

[@tjohn6echo]

Thank you sir, for your succinct explanation in a way that a lay person not trained in deep philosophical ideas like me can understand.

[@Complexchristian]

You are an amazing teacher ❤️

[@maxstrawn3788]

Another great video by Prof Wolff

[@nafeesyoutube9996]

Thank uou

[@handhikaramadhan]

Superb, prof!

[@aisuryam]

This is the clearest explanation I've got on this topic. 👍

[@safi.uh_]

this video really helped me omg

[@colinbrigham8253]

Thanks prof wollf 😊

[@sudamlenka1547]

The best and simple explanation ever

[@betteryou3860]

我去，在youtube听一个美国教授讲解历史唯物主义。在中国，这是常识。大学生都知道，物质决定意识。意识反作用于物质。历史是唯物的，是生产力和生产关系，经济基础和上层建筑不断作用产生的结果。生产力是一切的基础。生产力决定生产关系，经济基础决定上层建筑。 这一套方法论对于认识美国的社会政治经济体制有一种洞察一切的效果，这就是为什么大学不敢教授它们的原因。

[@Maverick.D.]

The best professor ever.

[@mfaisal562]

Simple explanation of complex philosophical ideas. Impressive

[@funkyskunk1]

So often I hear Leninists use dialectical materialism as a justification for using the state to establish socialism with a vanguard party. Dialectical materialism just seems like common sense, nothing to do with it necessitates a state-driven transition to socialism. In fact, the transition from feudalism to capitalism happened outside the state first but the final blow to the feudal nobility was dealt by siezing the state. The bourgeois revolution matured long before the state siezure occurred. Using this same model, socialism would develop outside the state first and then once the working class became economically dominant enough, it would sieze the state last.

[@jimbeam2299]

Dialectical materialism isn’t merely common sense. You’re only taking it at face value if you believe this

[@ScottDavis-nu5uu]

Important concepts to formulate arguments. The respectful part is lost through emotions, though. People are tightly backed into their corners.

[@jc6226]

some people. maybe most people. but that is only because a lot of people are dumb and/or numb, and are not open to discussion or critique of their ideas and beliefs whether stemming from themselves or others. this is why material is more fundamental than ideals. your ideas can tell you to think and act one way but this conflicts with contraindicating material situations which will point out any conflicts, often painfully, physically and/or psychically, everytime.

[@MonoFrutti]

If you throw a stone at a wall, it bounces back. The stone had kinetic energy to start but once it hit a static object a part of the kinetic energy it possessed transferred back to it and a part of it dissipated in the wall.

[@katfayegarrett3872]

Listened to this one twice!✊✌️

[@federkleid0]

Very consice explanation.As a 17 year old i had trouble understanding complex ones.Thanks a lot prof:)

[@russtaylor2122]

I think i understood it when he explained it, but if you asked me to summarise it ten seconds later, i couldn't. I'll have another go. Thanks Prof....!

[@jc6226]

there are dilemmas between our ideas and our material conditions, even though our material conditions shape our ideas, and our ideas shape our material conditions but usually to a lesser extent. people disagree on what is the main shaping force in what circumstances even though what i said generally seems clear to me and other materialists versus idealists who would have it the other way. that is all he said if you want to save 9 minutes.

[@russtaylor2122]

@@jc6226 Thanks JC! Now i'm going to have to read your summary a few times...! ; )

[@MisanthropicAndOutOfCoffee8380]

Dr. Richard Wolff 2024! please

[@AbdulWahab-df9rk]

Great

[@sukmayapun2018]

Thank u so much sir for simple explanation o complicated term... 🙏🇳🇵

[@FakeNewsHunter]

Getting a good feeling of what materialistic (and dialectic) thinking and analysis is, is well shown in the essay of of Frederick Engels 1876 "The Part played by Labour in the Transition from Ape to Man" link to the full text following ...ff