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Dialectical materialism: Difference between revisions
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== Hegel’s theory of dialectic == | == Hegel’s theory of dialectic == | ||
Hegel believed that what makes the universe intelligible is the understanding of it as an eternal cycle wherein [[Spirit]] comes to know itself as Spirit. This Spirit knowing of itself as Spirit comes through logic, though nature, and through mind-Spirit or ''Geist''.<ref>Hegel used the word ''Geist'' to describe a central principle of his philosophy. The word is the etymological origin of the word ''ghost'', but this term has lost much of its original meaning in English. Analogous words in other languages are the Greek ''pneuma'', Latin ''spiritus'', and Sanskrit ''prana''. One element of the breadth of the original meaning in English is found in the term ''Holy Ghost''. ''Geist'' can be translated as “consciousness,” mind or Spirit. Hegel’s use of this term is indicative of his departure from atheistic rationalism.</ref> He saw logic as positive pure Spirit. He saw nature as the negative creation of Spirit which bears the mark of its creator, in other words, [[Matter]]. He saw Spirit coming to know Spirit through Alpha, through Omega, through the masculine and feminine polarity of the universe; and then through ''Geist'', through self-consciousness, self-expression in history, self-discovery in art, religion and philosophy. That ''Geist'', then, becomes the individual [[Christ Self]] positioned in the midst of the Spirit-Matter being which you are, here and now. | Hegel believed that what makes the universe intelligible is the understanding of it as an eternal cycle wherein [[Spirit]] comes to know itself as Spirit. This Spirit knowing of itself as Spirit comes through logic, though nature, and through mind-Spirit or ''Geist''.<ref>Hegel used the word ''Geist'' to describe a central principle of his philosophy. The word is the etymological origin of the word ''ghost'', but this term has lost much of its original meaning in English. Analogous words in other languages are the Greek ''pneuma'', Latin ''spiritus'', and Sanskrit ''[[prana]]''. One element of the breadth of the original meaning in English is found in the term ''Holy Ghost''. ''Geist'' can be translated as “consciousness,” mind or Spirit. Hegel’s use of this term is indicative of his departure from atheistic rationalism.</ref> He saw logic as positive pure Spirit. He saw nature as the negative creation of Spirit which bears the mark of its creator, in other words, [[Matter]]. He saw Spirit coming to know Spirit through Alpha, through Omega, through the masculine and feminine polarity of the universe; and then through ''Geist'', through self-consciousness, self-expression in history, self-discovery in art, religion and philosophy. That ''Geist'', then, becomes the individual [[Christ Self]] positioned in the midst of the Spirit-Matter being which you are, here and now. | ||
Hegel believed that thinking always proceeded according to the dialectic pattern. An initial positive thesis is immediately negated by its antithesis. Further thought produces a synthesis, which again produces an antithesis. The process continues, but not indefinitely, for it is circular. The culmination is the absolute, the return of thought to Source or to Spirit. | Hegel believed that thinking always proceeded according to the dialectic pattern. An initial positive thesis is immediately negated by its antithesis. Further thought produces a synthesis, which again produces an antithesis. The process continues, but not indefinitely, for it is circular. The culmination is the absolute, the return of thought to Source or to Spirit. | ||