Marxist Nonrealism as a Theory of Science

Abstract

Chapters 4 and 5 were devoted to indicating the tenets of a Marxist realist position. It was noted how within this position attempts are made to vindicate scientifically the works of both Marx and ‘some later Marxists’ (to use Keat and Urry’s terminology, 1982:70). These works are claimed to be ‘scientifically’ defendable — provided that the assessment of the works takes place in terms of realist rather than positivist principles. Hence a number of authors have set out to identify what these principles involve, in order to furnish a philosophical justification for certain Marxist-oriented scientific endeavours.