Marx, Engels and the Philosophy of Science

This book expounds the dialectical conception of science largely implicit in the writings of Marx and Engels, offering a sympathetic reconstruction of a philosophy of science commensurate with Marx’s thought. Drawing on a reading of dialectics found in Plato and Hegel, it recasts Marx’s implicit ontology in terms of dialectical conceptions of the world, as these conceptions have responded to the growing sophistication of modern science. It thus deepens our understanding of materialist philosophy as it relates to science and draws out Marx’s logic of science in light of continuing discussions. As such, it will appeal to philosophers with interests in the nature and development of science and Marxist thought.

David Bedford is Retired Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and the co-author of The Tragedy of Progress: Marxism, Modernity and the Aboriginal Question.

Thomas Workman is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and the co-author of The Servant State: Overseeing Capital Accumulation in Canada and the author of If You’re In My Way I’m Walking: The Assault on Working People Since 1970.