Ask Prof Wolff: Defining Historical and Dialectical Materialism

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@alokekumarbanerjee9175]

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

[@himanshi_2024]

same

[@LittleCreationsETH]

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

[@gwenkelly1654]

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

[@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!

[@ruelow]

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

[@kosherwhitewine5879]

based

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@dinnerwithfranklin2451]

Excellent question very clear answer. Thank you

[@leomiri1]

what an awesome explanation, so simply put and eloquent

[@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).

[@donjohnstone3707]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@وانەکانیپۆلی]

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

[@saeed1008]

I’ve never watched a person explaining this intricate aspect of history and philosophy, then this respected intellectual.

[@wakawaka2358]

Luna oí also does a great job of explaining it too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJasXqKiZ6aira8si=RIIKw9NUFe7h-9Hz

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@bewitched9408]

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

[@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.

[@Caleb-ek4fx]

Incredible teaching skills

[@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 ".

[@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.

[@blessygeorge9769]

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

[@kapilchaudaha9679]

Excellent explanation: brief, simple, comprehensive.

[@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。

[@deborahkusaj1928]

I love this. Thank you for teaching me something today. 😁

[@zionwoniaye7198]

Thank you

[@robertoraupp]

Clear, simple.thanks

[@sudamlenka1547]

The best and simple explanation ever

[@sandanista2002]

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

[@majystr]

Thanks!

[@MisanthropicAndOutOfCoffee8380]

Dr. Richard Wolff 2024! please

[@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.

[@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

[@justamaninTN]

Such a great video.

[@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.

[@aparnapatil8517]

Take a bow professor. Finally understood.

[@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.

[@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.

[@salifbumbaugh3422]

Excellent explanation!

[@premiumteacher742]

Thank you Prof this was a great insightful explanation.

[@DeElSendero]

A truly great teacher!

[@pratisthapathak3534]

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

[@jerryjones7293]

Thank you for making these terms more accessible.

[@gui_p_mello]

Professor, I'm a brazilian and here I'm seeing leninism Marxism growing and Leninists talk a lot about Dialectical and Historical Materialism and I really happy to see that happening, but I'm afraid if Leninists here get considerable influence or power, The US will try to sabotage my country's politics again or do even worst. Please talk more to people there in the US what Marxism and communism is really about because I see it's super rare that someone there knows about it, we need your people to be aware and not let your institutions attack us again. You probably know that thanks to the US we had a far right Military Ditactorship and the FBI probably messed up with our politics a few years ago. I'm starting to have some hope about my country, I don't want it to be massacred by the USA.

[@johnconnors4508]

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

[@wbarreguy]

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

[@federkleid0]

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

[@wakawaka2358]

Luna oí also does a great job of explaining it too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJasXqKiZ6aira8si=RIIKw9NUFe7h-9Hz

[@josephschaumberg4136]

Thank you for the wonderful lesson.

[@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...! ; )

[@lycahtorres4226]

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

[@Dsonsee]

Great and very accessible explanation

[@NEdumpling]

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

[@sethshaffer681]

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

[@Appealsman]

this issue also informs our strategies for social and economic change. Do we all just stand in a public place with snarky messages on cardboard signs? That's the idealist approach. The materialist approach is to change material conditions to change the ideas, perhaps by a work slowdown or strike, by blocking traffic to a dock or other facility with large economic impact, and so on.

[@tomasgunka1691]

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

[@lucasmatteis]

It seems that it grows! Let's go, comrades!

[@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.

[@yashpradhan9232]

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

[@phishback]

Thank you for that concise and insightful lesson!

[@ambroshdev7737]

Thank you ,Proff Wolff. What an explanation

[@alanalam5597]

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

[@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

[@nafeesyoutube9996]

Thank uou

[@mohamedkhrarba3691]

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

[@stellaanuoluwa2397]

Never heard any better explanation thank you so much Prof Wolff

[@OrElseEllipsis1945]

An excellent and concise explanation of historical and dialectic materialism!

[@wilsonperalta7521]

Very precise explanation.

[@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.

[@alirezaabdi7204]

I am nonnative and should say you are a great teacher

[@ajalaomodele3239]

...excellent breakdown!

[@sukmayapun2018]

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

[@tanujSE]

I see dialectics as material change that happens everywhere and so therefore there will be change in society

[@aisuryam]

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

[@handhikaramadhan]

Superb, prof!

[@anthonycarbonaro7890]

Very excellent presentation. Thank You 🙏

[@ajaykc004]

Best lecture i have listened to in my life

[@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

[@treefrog3349]

I thank the material, real-world Universe for the likes of Professor Wolffe!

[@quinn3334]

I’ve been a Marxist for a while now and this is a fantastic explanation

[@maxheadrom3088]

A good example of (non-Hegelian) dialectics is the Ecclesiastes found on the Old Testamennt. The writer (Kohelet) says "too much knowledge causes too much suffering". Later he will say "I have observed, however, that the one who has knowledge walks under the light while the one who doesn't have walks in the dark". Kohelet, in these two lines expressed ideas that are contradictory in a way - a dialectic. (di means 2). Kohelet will then make a synthesis from these opposing ideas. Unfortunately my memory is not that good and the book is worth reading (at least the first pages). The final systhesis Kohelet makes is so famous it became a great 1960s pop song: The Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4HZqXSFfL6dj5I

[@matthewmcree1992]

I have spent so much time reading and listening to Marxist theory over the last few years, but dialectical materialism was the one concept that was never explained well enough for me to understand exactly what it is. Professor Wolff managed to do the impossible: to explain it in such a way that the concept finally clicked perfectly in my brain in less than 10 minutes. What a brilliant theorist Marx was. His ideas just get more and more relevant, even as modern academia (especially economics) tries to propagandize against Marxism and all it stands for (and replace it with race reductionist bullshit).

[@geraldmeehan8942]

Thank you for clarifying sir

[@mfaisal562]

Simple explanation of complex philosophical ideas. Impressive

[@bellaf5684]

such a gifted teacher

[@davepuxley7387]

Thank you!

[@AbdulWahab-df9rk]

Great

[@ericbrandonmukhim319]

The only person in the world who could explain this topic is this guy. I wish i could just hit a trillion likes in this video.

[@saddoro4138]

Very good breakdown