10: Dialectal Thinking: Modern & Contemporary Philosophy

What is dialectal thinking according to Hegel?

understanding reality and the truth through contradictions

How do ideas develop according to Hegel’s dialectic

thesis (an idea), antithesis (an opposite) , synthesis (combined)

What does Hegel mean by negativity in dialectic?

contradictions should be avoided but recognized

How did Marx use dialect differently from Hegel?

used it for society and economics; materialistic life

What is dialectal materialism?

the idea that material conditions (food, work, $, class) shape society and ideas

What was the purpose of the Frankfurt School

to update Marxist theory and understand why people accept unfair social systems

What is critical theory?

analyzes power struggles within society and working towards change; critiques power/oppression/ideology and promotes free thinking from systems of control

What is praxis in critical theory?

combining theory and action to bring social change

According to Marx, what is ideology?

it makes people unaware of their actual social position, false consciousness

What did Althusser say about ideology?

it is how people imagine their place in society

How does Zizek describe ideology?

it works even when people know it is false, actions contradict beliefs

What is the main idea of structuralism?

human culture and thought are shaped by deep, hidden structures like language or social systems; patterns that organize meaning

How does poststructuralism differ?

meanings are unstable, there is room for interpretation and contradictions