THE CONCEPT OF MOTION
It is obvious to most people that we do not live in a static world. In fact, everything in nature is in a state of constant change. "Motion is the mode of existence of matter," states Engels. "Never anywhere has there been matter without motion, nor can there be." For example, the earth revolves continually around its axis, and in turn itself revolves around the sun. This results in day and night, and the different seasons that we experience throughout the year. We are born, grow up, grow old and eventually die. Everything is moving, changing, either rising and developing or declining and dying away. The existence of matter is tied to motion. Infact, matter cannot exist without motion. It is because matter moves that it is being referred to as matter. So, one of the best ways to define motion is to say, “Motion is the mode of existence of matter, its inalienable attribute”.
THE ABSOLUTENESS OF MOTION AND THE RELATIVITY OF REST
Motion, as it were, is absolute and eternal. By this, we mean that matter is unrestricted, everlasting and complete in itself. Matter can neither be created nor destroyed and science has enough proof of this. In science, there is a law known as, the law of conservation and transformation of energy; it states that “...like matter, motion does not end and it does not arise anew, but it is simply modified and converted from one form to another”. However, as motion is absolute and eternal, what can we say about rest?
As material entities change from one form to another, within these processes, there are also moments of rest or equilibrium. But, it is important to note that rest or the state of equilibrium, does not affect matter as a whole. Rest only affects or is applicable to particular processes. In connection to this, rest is relative i.e. an object is said to only be at rest, in connection to other specific bodies. For example; the faculty of arts building is in a state of rest in relation to the earth’s surface; but, fixed together with the earth, it revolves around the sun. Thus, rest is an inherent part of motion.
Also, rest must not be understood as some kind of dead, fixed state. Rest is indeed a special type of motion. For example; everyday, people move from place to place, tending to various activities. But, even when a person seems to be doing nothing or resting, there is still motion going on within the individual. This motion could be biological (like growth), metabolic (like digestion), psychological (like thinking processes) and so on. So, rest is not a fixed, dead state but a type of motion which is relative in nature.
Thus, the absoluteness of motion presupposes that relative rest must be part of the order of reality; it is a necessary element in the development process of things.
BASIC FORMS IN WHICH MOTION DOES EXISTS
Fundamentally, there are many kinds and forms of motion. Various kinds of motion have been laid out by science. But, dialectical materialism has classified these kinds of motion, and in doing so; it gives prominence to the basic forms. So, what are these basic forms of motion? Friedrich Engels gave the first scientific classification of the forms of motion of matter. Regarding the basic forms, he presented them as; mechanical, physical, chemical, biological and social. These would be evaluated below;
1. Mechanical form of motion
This refers to the spatial displacement (spontaneous movement) of elements inherent in all kinds of bodies whether macroscopic or microscopic.
2. Physical form of motion
This refers to the movement of elementary particles associated with thermal, electrical, magnetic, intra-atomic, intra-nuclear processes.
3. Chemical form of motion
This refers to the movement entailed in the redistribution of connections between atoms and molecules. This change in the structure of substances is as a result of interaction between the molecules.
4. Biological form of motion
This is one of the most complex forms of motion of matter as it encompasses all the diverse processes of motion taking place in any living organism.
5. Social form of motion
This form of motion is at the very root of Marxism. The dialectical history of human society is a very high form of motion. It initially began with the rise of human society, which has changed in quantity and quality over the centuries.
THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF THE FORMS OF MOTION
The fact that the forms of motion have been strictly enumerated does not make them function in isolation. In fact, they derive their essence from the fact that they are intertwined with one another. The interconnectedness of the forms of motion is due to the material unity of the world. Therefore, depending on the conditions involved, one form of motion can be converted into another. For example, the interaction of physical processes can lead to chemical transformation. Also, chemical processes under certain conditions can give rise to biological change. Lastly, after Friedrich Engels, the classification of motion has been enumerated as follows;
i. Mechanical
ii. Electromagnetic interaction
iii. Gravitational interaction
iv. Chemical interaction
v. Motion in microscopic bodies (animate and inanimate)
Unfortunately, I have demolished this theory ('Dialectical Materialism'), and from a Marxist angle, here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.anti-dialectics.co.uk/Why%20I%20Oppose%20DM.htm