Walter Benjamin's philosophy of history offers a distinctive rethinking of dialectical materialism. Although his work has often been associated with the Marxist tradition, particularly through his associations with the Frankfurt School and thinkers like Theodor Adorno, Benjamin’s approach to dialectical materialism departs significantly from orthodox Marxist views.
Dialectical Materialism and Benjamin's Theses on the Philosphy of History
Dialectical materialism, rooted in the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, posits that material conditions (the economic base) largely determine societal structures and ideas (the superstructure). At its core, it is the science of the general laws of motion and development of nature, human society, and thought.
In his "Theses on the Philosophy of History", Benjamin presents a form of historical materialism influenced by Jewish mysticism. He posits that each moment in history has a "weak messianic power" – a potential for redemption. For Benjamin, revolutionary change isn't merely a future promise; every moment contains the possibility for radical transformation.
History and the Concept of Time
Orthodox dialectical materialism tends to view time linearly, seeing history as a progression of modes of production leading to the eventual triumph of socialism. Benjamin disrupts this continuity with his distinction between "homogeneous, empty time" and "messianic time". The latter is full of interruptions and revolutionary possibilities, radically different from the continuous flow of the former.
Aura, Art, and Mechanical Reproduction:
In "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction", Benjamin argues that the 'aura' of unique artworks diminishes in the age of mass reproduction. While this might seem to align with the Marxist notion of commodification, Benjamin sees a revolutionary potential in this loss: by stripping art of its aura, it becomes more democratically accessible and potentially more politically mobilizing.
In summary, Walter Benjamin's refiguration of dialectical materialism is emblematic of his broader intellectual project: a fusion of the revolutionary and the mystical, the material and the theological. By intertwining Marxist dialectics with messianic redemption, Benjamin presents a complex, multifaceted view of history and material conditions, one that challenges deterministic readings of Marx and invites constant reinterpretation and engagement.
