PR campaigns to try to “convince people with ideas” to change their ways is definitely more on the idealistic side.
Tech that fundamentally changes the means of production of a fundamental commodity in local, regional, national, and international markets seems more on the materialist side.
I agree that those would be good, commonsense ways of using those words. It’s also not what Marx meant by them. So when you throw them around on a Marxist forum, it gives a weight to what you’re saying, but without actually referencing anything Marx said.
I really think “materialist” and “idealist” outside the concept of 19th century debates around Hegel are thought-terminating cliches.
Yeah, the common usage on this site is
good realistic idea = materialism
bad unrealistic idea = idealism
I’m glad someone’s said it finally.
From what I see:
PR campaigns to try to “convince people with ideas” to change their ways is definitely more on the idealistic side.
Tech that fundamentally changes the means of production of a fundamental commodity in local, regional, national, and international markets seems more on the materialist side.
I agree that those would be good, commonsense ways of using those words. It’s also not what Marx meant by them. So when you throw them around on a Marxist forum, it gives a weight to what you’re saying, but without actually referencing anything Marx said.
Do you see how this could create issues?