Dialectical Logic

by Evald Vasilyevich Ilyenkov

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Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theory, Politics, Logic, History, Economics

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Iniciou o curso de filosofia na Faculdade de Filosofia do Instituto de Filosofia e Artes de Moscou em 1941 e, devido à II Guerra Mundial, para a qual foi convocado a lutar pelo Exército Vermelho, concluiu o curso em 1950 na Universidade Estadual de Moscou. Neste mesmo ano torna-se membro do Partido Comunista.

Em 1953 defende sua dissertação de mestrado, intitulada Alguns Problemas na Dialética Materialista da "Crítica da Economia Política" de Karl Marx. Neste mesmo ano passa a dar aulas na Universidade Estadual de Moscou, sendo expulso, em 1955, acusado de revisionismo da base da filosofia Marxista-Leninista, devido aos seus estudos que articulavam ciência e filosofia (sendo a filosofia entendida como reflexão do mundo real no pensamento).

Em 1960 foi publicado seu primeiro livro, A Dialética do Abstrato e do Concreto em “O Capital” de Karl Marx, tendo sido censurado pelas autoridades do Instituto de Filosofia, sofrendo várias alterações e sendo reduzido em mais de um terço. Nele estava contido um manuscrito escrito 4 anos antes, A Dialética do Abstrato e do Concreto no Pensamento Científico e Teórico.

Ilienkov volta a lecionar novamente algum depois de sua expulsão, no Instituto de Filosofia da URSS, no setor Materialismo Dialético (onde trabalhará até sua morte). Neste mesmo ano seus livros passam a ter permissão de publicação e ele defende sua tese de doutorado, intitulada Quanto à Questão da Natureza do Pensamento (Na Análise de Materiais da Dialética Clássica Alemã).

Em 21 de março de 1979, Ilienkov põe fim à própria vida, sendo os motivos ainda incertos.

Ilienkov trabalhou principalmente, a partir de um ponto de vista materialista, sobre a teoria do conhecimento, a lógica e a dialética, enfatizando a unidade entre o subjetivo e o objetivo e a ligação orgânica entre a lógica e a história. Foi um crítico implacável do positivismo, além de discutir questões sobre psicologia e educação e escrever sobre a teoria da personalidade, o desenvolvimento do pensamento e da apropriação do conhecimento no ensino escolar, estando interessado particularmente na teoria da atividade em conexão com a escola histórico-cultural.

Foi conhecido de Mikhail Lifschits e grande amigo de Alexei N. Leontiev (1903-1979) e Alexander Meshcheriakov (1923-1974), inclusive ajudando o último em seu projeto com surdos-cegos em Zagorski.

Ele deixou diversas obras, artigos e manuscritos, que têm sido publicados desde a sua morte por ex-alunos e seguidores de seu ponto de vista filosófico.

Reviews

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far one of the best expositions of Dialectical thought available. Ilyenkov explains dialectics dialectically, that is, he does not define dialectics but narrates its development in different moments, showing how its contradictions change over time throughout the philosophies of different thinkers, and how it eventually develops into Marx's particular conception. The section on Spinoza in the first half is of particular note, considering the bad rap Spinoza gets from some Marxist circles (generally the more established, militant circles) against others (usually academic) as his thought has become associated with Deleuze, and therefore also with the many often bizarre directions his thought has led others.

The book is structured in a similar fashion to that of the Critique of Pure Reason, with the first part serving as an analysis of the thinking tools, and the second as a methodological use of those tools to serve as examples. Many of the essays, however, do not flow logically into each other, which makes the reading of the book tortuous at times, especially in the second half.

Without a doubt, while the second half has essays that are of extraordinary importance, the weakness of others makes the work as a whole rather strange. This is to say that the method is not always consistently applied and that it is unfortunately very evident when Ilyenkov's argument is clouded, avoiding potential landmines in his wording which could have put him at odds with the authorities around him, many of which worked with a positivist Marxist approach, or a vulgar materialist one. In this sense, however, his exposition of Hegel's importance and his admiration (and his important points about Lenin's love for Hegel, especially) for Hegelian thought in Marx, is extraordinarily well put, and incredibly useful for anyone first seeking to approach the problems of Dialectics.

[Aung Sett Kyaw Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why should we prefer dialectic logic over formal logic? The cardinal sin of formal logic as Ilyenkov sees it is as follows. It is incapable of grasping the process of change, stymied as it was by the principle of contradiction. Take a simple Kantian synthetic judgement; thing A is B at time t1 and A is C at time t2 (the two predicates A and C do not necessarily have to be opposite determinations). What then about the concept of A vis-a-vis the principle of contradiction? Here the simple combination (synthesis) of A and B in a judgement is still a "combination of A and not-A". According to Ilyenkov, Kant concluded that the determinations that the thing A could 'slough off' without ceasing to be itself had no right to belong to the concept of A. This is tantamount to admitting that if the principle of contradiction is to be upheld, then logic cannot grasp itself as a "schema of the consistent enriching of the initial concept with newer and newer predicates" (130) and that there can be no Kantian synthesis in which the concept could pass from one determination to another. Therefore, contra the old logic, theory can and must not shy away from taking objects cursed with mutually exclusive determinations as its subject matter. Paradigmatic of such a real object is of course, capital, which Marx dubs a 'moving contradiction'. This is also the point at which logic justly transforms into dialectics or an investigation of the "concrete unity of mutually exclusive opposites" (320).

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilyenkov wrote some of the best philosophy to ever come out of the USSR during the de-Stalinization period.

This book traces the historical development of dialectical thought through pre-Marxist philosophers, and then deals with issues of interest in Marxist dialectics including Ilyenkov's specialty- the question of the general/ideal in dialectics.

This book is very deep and is not for beginners in dialectical materialism.

[kz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but I really wish I had the philosophical background kind of needed for this text. Basically Ilyenkov does a run down through a bunch of philosophers like Kant, Spinoza, Fichte, Feuerbach, Hegel and how all of their theories of knowledge have lead to Marx and then Lenin's perception of logic on a dialectic basis and how that logic is strictly materialistic. But that's about all I got out of it. Definitely more of a read for the philosophy p.h.d rather than the general public interested in Soviet authors.

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The modern dialectical tradition (mistakenly) fuses actual thought/history/nature with logic/reason. Ilyenkov offers an internal history and contributions. Highlight: Essay 8.

[Kaiserberg]

I suggest one reads Ilyenkov's speculative "Cosmology of the Spirit" after finishing this one, which is essentially the logical conclusion of his understanding of materialism.

[Che · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best philosophy book I have ever read.

[amoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently my favorite book I have ever read. It explains the historical development of philosophy that gave rise to certain problems which are then resolved by dialectical philosophy. It give you a good understanding of why it is useful and what problems it is solving, and sheds light on difficult questions of philosophy such as the mind-body problem. Highly recommended book to any materialist.

[Роман Батяев · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does dialectical logic exist? I think author answered this question. Some thoughts about idealism of Hegel and prevous philosophers are very interesting. And thoughts about Ricardo's theory too.

[Ziikii · Rating 3 out of 5]

note per il futuro: prima di lanciarsi in letture di questo tipo pensarci almeno 3 volte.

[Cătălin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, I had a lot of fun reading this book. Almost every essay is a banger, especially the essay on Spinoza and essay nr. 8

[Potemkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult and challenging read but worth it. The work consists of 11 essays, covering the history of dialectical and formal logic and its relationship with Marxism.

[Morozka]

Ilyenkov, E. (1977) Dialectical Logic: Essays on Its History and Theory. Moscow: Progress Publishers.

[Callie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF. The first part on the history of logic was incredible. Second part was a bit too scattershot in my opinion. If I could just rate the first half, it would be 5 stars.