Re: FW: Scientific socialism

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 2003-06-23 23:58 -0700, you wrote:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Burford" <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
> > I suspect the really difficult debate is about whether there is a single
> > scientific socialism now, and what it is in today's context. Or whether
> > marxism is a method of science, rather than a definitive body of
> science.
> >
> > Chris Burford
> > London
>
> =====================
>
> Or whether the sciences of the 21st century *need*
> marxism................................
>
>
> Ian


In a sense they don't.

But part of the debate about how we re-evaluate a term like "scientific
socialism" is what is our model of science. If we think of science as an
absolute all conquering linear type of project, then the term has very
dogmatic overtones.

However for me, a fundamental feature of the marxist approach is its lack
of absolute dogma: I return frequently to the passage in the Manifesto that

"the theoretical conclusions of the Communists are in no way based on ideas
or principles that have been invented, or discovered, by this or that
would-be universal reformer. They merely express, in general terms, actual
relations springing from an existing class struggle, from a historical
movement going on under our very eyes."

Science is in any case moving away from simple uni-linear models of
causation, to interactive "non"-linear (non recti linear) models in which
(as dialectics also says) everything is connected with everything else.

Such a universe can be lookd at from contrasting points of view which are
compatible with a dialectical materialist approach.

But marxism would predict that science would evolve anyway to fit more and
more closely with underlying material reality, whether the protagonists are
card carrying marxists or not.

The paradox is that the victory of marxism could logically occur invisibly
and quite unconsciously.

If only the champions of the international proletariat would keep their big
dogmatic mouths shut. Still no one is listening to them at the moment.

Chris Burford
London