Final answer:
The term 'dialectical materialism' is based on the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which was later interpreted and expanded upon by Joseph Stalin and others within the Marxist tradition. It offers a materialist interpretation of society and history through the lens of class struggle and the contradictory nature of material conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'dialectical materialism' is based on the writings of Karl Marx and his collaborator Friedrich Engels. It signifies a revision of Hegel's dialectic and proposes that material contradictions, such as the class struggles between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, are the driving forces of historical change. Dialectical materialism diverges from Hegel's idealistic concept by focusing on real-world, material conditions rather than abstract ideas as the determinant of societal evolution. This philosophy was further developed and interpreted by figures such as Joseph Stalin, who brought it into line with his own views and the lessons of Marxism-Leninism.
Marxist philosophies, including dialectical materialism, have been influential in the development of critical theory, particularly within the Frankfurt School, which sought to critique and transform oppressive economic and cultural forces as identified by Marx. Dialectical materialism has been a foundational element in Marxist theory, continually influencing debates on how to understand and change the socio-economic structures of society.