Marxism and Science

In Marxism and Science, Volume 1, Gavin Kitching examines the influential tradition of Marxism as a hard natural science. This political science text explores the historical claims made by Marx and Engels that their theories could identify objective laws of social development to guide revolutionary activity. By applying Wittgensteinian analysis to Marxist discourse, the author investigates the tension between scientific certainty and the complexities of social reality. This work serves as a deep dive into the intersection of political ideologies and the philosophy of science.

The book challenges the untenable nature of viewing Marxism as a rigid science, suggesting instead that it functions as a rational point of view within a postmodern context. Kitching analyzes how the pursuit of scientific certitude has historically provided psychological comfort against the dominance of capitalism. This study of communism and socialism moves beyond mere intellectual critique to propose a new political practice rooted in the acceptance of uncertainty and an open future.