Dialectical Materialism - Volume I

by Maurice Cornforth

Little New World Paperback, LNW-29. First U.S. edition 1971.Volume 1 of the 3-volume Dialectical An IntroductionAuthor's Note of the 4th EditionMaterialismDialecticsReading List

Genres: Philosophy, Theory, Politics, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

a.k.a. Maurice Campbell Cornforth

Maurice Campbell Cornforth (28 October 1909 – 31 December 1980) was a British Marxist philosopher. When he began his career in philosophy in the early 1930s, he was a follower of Wittgenstein, writing in the then current style of analytic philosophy. He later became a leading ideologist of the Communist Party of Great Britain.

He is noted for his attack on the aesthetic theories of Christopher Caudwell, and for his later partial engagement with the linguistic philosophy of Oxford origin of the 1940s and 1960s. He also wrote a defence of Marxism against Karl Popper, whose thought he heavily criticized.

His In Defense of Philosophy attacks, in their relationship to science, empiricist philosophies of many kinds, such as those of Rudolf Carnap (linguistic analysis) and William James (pragmatism), on the "materialist" grounds that they divorce science and scientific investigation from the search for truer understanding of the really existing universe. In this book there is a combination of Marxism with deep insights into the interrelations of the various sciences and the philosophical conundrums produced by the empiricist attempt to reduce science to the collection and correlation of data. Both the insights are based on the theory of the primacy of physical work and tools (thus, "materialism") in the development of specifically human traits such as language, abstract thought, and social organization, and the essential role of the external world in the increasingly complex development of forms of life. These latter ideas are remarkably consistent with the most current evolutionary thinking in biology and anthropology.

His multi-volume book entitled "Dialectical Materialism" was originally published in 1953 by the International Publishers, Co., INC. The first U.S. edition of this work was printed in 1971. The text originated from lectures that Cornforth received funding for from the London District Committee of the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1950. The first volume, "Materialism and the Dialectical Method" provides a good introduction to several important sociological principles; idealism, metaphysics, materialism, mechanical materialism, and dialectical materialism, in addition to Marxist philosophy. The other volumes of this text are entitled as follows, Volume Two Historical Materialism, Volume Three Theory of Knowledge."

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.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where does one go to learn about Marxist philosophy and dialectical materialism? Cornforth provides one avenue in Materialism and the Dialectical Method. This work is written in an accessible style, with the ideas developed in an intuitive and clear manner in plain language and with helpful examples. Cornforth includes lengthy quotes by the most prominent names in Marxism (predominantly Engels, Lenin, and Stalin, but also Hegel, Marx, and Mao), giving the reader a sense of the intellectual tradition. The book covers the difference between idealism and materialism, contrasts dialectical versus metaphysical modes of thought, and introduces various principles of dialectics (contradiction, development, interpenetration, negation of the negation, etc). It’s a solid place to start, and I think it is a good option for a curious beginner.

That said, I found it not particularly useful as a more advanced reader, and here it stands in contrast with other works that I think also serve as good entry points to Marxist philosophy: Ludwig Fuerbach and the Outcome of Classical German Philosophy by Engels, The Dialectical Biologist by Levins and Lewontin (for scientists, in particular), The Development of the Monist View of History by Plekhanov. These works present philosophical problems with more depth, and query philosophical failures in greater detail, rewarding the advanced or repeat reader. They also present the history of philosophy as a battle of ideas, showing dialectical materialism to be the winning philosophy. In the hands of these authors, philosophy feels very alive and yet incompletely solved; it is portrayed as a rich, developing field and invites the reader to join it. Cornforth’s book is undoubtedly written in more accessible language, but it is also more didactic; the party higher-ups have done the studying, and identified the solution, and it is up to the reader to learn the material so they can help change the world. A curious beginner up for a more challenging read may get more out of these other works.

Something I did find interesting about my read of this book was comparing its evolution between editions. The first edition (1953) lauds Lysenko as a shining example of dialectical materialism applied to the natural sciences. By the fourth edition (1968), Lysenko had become a cautionary tale of dogmatism. To a lesser extent, language around Stalin and the Soviet Union also shifted. Reading between the lines, Cornforth seems to hew close to his party’s line. This isn’t, on its face, objectionable, but I wish that his editorial notes had revealed more about his reflections on how he had made such an incorrect assessment (about Lysenko) to start, and how that shaped his thinking.

Cornforth’s introductory book is, at this point, over half a century old. Some of his examples would have been more topical than they are currently (e.g., nuclear bomb, the space race). There has also been considerable philosophical development since then: Marxism versus analytical philosophy, and Marxism versus post-modernism are pertinent debates absent from Cornforth’s book. Perhaps it is time for a new introductory book?

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idealism is a dead end! Materialism allows philosophy to be used as a method for understanding the world in order to change it :)

However, mechanistic materialism is limited and dogmatic so it is dialectical materialism that we must adopt if we wish to truly understand the development of society. The essential idea of materialist dialectics is: “The recognition of the contradictory, mutually exclusive, opposite tendencies in all phenomena and processes of nature…. This alone furnishes the key to the self movement of everything in existence. It alone furnishes the key to the leaps to the break in continuity, to the transformation into the opposite, to the destruction of the old and emergence of the new…. In its proper meaning, dialectics is the study of the contradiction within the very essence of things. Development is the struggle of opposites”

Definitely outdated in parts but Cornforth is very clear and draws good parallels with the natural sciences to illustrate his points around the perils of idealism and mechanistic materialism.

[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.wmv · 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.

[manahil · Rating 4 out of 5]

religion is stupid exactly thank you

[Samaa SC · Rating 3 out of 5]

little repetitive

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the basics of dialectical materialism, with any errors owing to the 50s CPGB party line.

[Weedno · Rating 5 out of 5]

enlightening book on Marxism

[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.

[Richard Lagutaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book except for the application of Diamat to the electric force
That’s just silly

[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.

[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.