Dialectic in the Age of Disasters (A Critique of Dialectical Idealism and Dialectical Materialism: Dialectical Naturalism)

Abstract

The subject of this study is dialectics. This study argues that overcoming the ecological crisis, which results from the negative dimension of the human-nature relationship or the dominating attitude of humans towards nature, is only possible with a dialectical understanding. In this context, this study first deals with the dialectical approaches of Hegel and Marx-Engels – that is dialectical idealism and dialectical materialism. Then, it focuses on the dialectical naturalism developed and put forward by Murray Bookchin, acting on both the tradition and the criticism of these approaches. In short, this study argues that dialectical naturalism, developed over the dialectical approaches of Hegel and Marx-Engels, is an ecological dialectical approach that is suitable for the requirements of our age. And this study emphasises that, especially at a time when ecological disasters are experienced and more significant disasters are foreseen in the near future, the mentioned dialectical naturalism is an opportunity that will help us find direction not only against ecological disasters but also against the fundamental problems of our age.