Definition of Historical Materialism

Historians focus on the analysis of past events from certain sources and data. On the other hand, when philosophers study history they do so from another perspective and focus on its meaning and purpose. The materialism historical is the conception of Marx and Engels on the evolution of history.

Theoretical foundations of historical materialism

For Marx and Engels the philosophy should analyze history starting from a materialistic conception. In other words, there are a number of real and material conditions (for example, social classes and social conflicts) and these are the ones that are establishing a course in the future of the events.

The materialism projected onto history was a theoretical response to the Hegelian vision. For Hegel, what explains the historical sense is spirit and not matter.

The Marxist vision was developed in two fundamental works: "The Communist Manifesto" and "Capital". Both show that there are two opposing social classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat.

The bourgeoisie represents the social class powerful, while the proletariat is the subdued social class. For Marx the bourgeoisie was responsible for the liquidation of the previous feudal regime and the proletariat will be responsible for the end of the bourgeoisie. This process has a dialectical component and for this reason it is labeled as historical and dialectical materialism.

The proletarian class has to take conscience on its actual operating situation. In this way, the working class cannot resign itself and has to take an active position to free itself from the bourgeoisie. This implies a rebellious attitude that for Marx should lead to a revolution proletariat oriented to the definitive disappearance of social classes, traditionally divided between oppressors and oppressed.

The ways of thinking of human beings depend on the material and technological conditions of each historical moment.

According to the postulates of historical materialism, the advancement of humanity does not depend on spiritual or mysterious forces. On the contrary, everything we know and think is given by concrete material conditions.

In this framework, the different technological advances that have occurred throughout history constitute the material base on which a way of building is built and constructed. think and to live.

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