Revival: Marx, Methodology and Science (2001)
Marx's Science of Politics
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Book Description
This title was first published in 2001. The book aims to give a clear and accessible account of Marx’s method and an assessment of its scientific validity and relevance to contemporary social science; The key methodological themes of Marx’s work and their development are shown with particular attention paid to the elements of dialectics and materialism; Four models of science are outlined-positivism; critical rationalism; scientific conventionalism; scientific realism - and the arguments and evidence both for and against Marx’s method corresponding to any of them examined. The conclusion arrived at is that Marx’s method is a good example of social scientific practice according to the scientific realist model and that it has a positive contribution to make to social science today.realism.
Table of Contents
Contents: Introduction; Method in the early Marx; Method in the later Marx; Marx and materialism; Marx and dialectics; Conceptions of science; Marx and science; Conclusion; Bibliography.
Reviews
’With admirable lucidity and conciseness, Walker dissects Marx’s method and argues convincingly for its basis in scientific realism. His book is the best introduction I know to these fundamental questions.’ Professor David McLellan, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK