Socialist Appeal
The British section of the International Marxist Tendency
Marxism attaches great importance to the question of science. Here we see both the potential for human advance and the destructive grip of capitalism. In this article, adapted from the 2002 introduction to the German edition of Reason in Revolt, Alan Woods looks at how the ideas of Marxism relate to the most recent scientific developments and the crisis of capitalism.
Karl Marx has been decried by mainstream economists and news outlets as dead, irrelevant and outdated. A new study published by the world’s most reputed scholarly journal, Nature, once again shows that, despite the hue and cry of naysayers and those who would revise history, his spectre cannot be exorcised.
Recent statements from Boris Johnson regarding “Cornflakes“ rising to the top of the packet with regard to natural intelligence are as stupid as claiming that you have a “Divine Right” to rule over the lower orders. Andy Fenwick examines the age-old debate about "nature" vs "nurture"; genes vs environment.
Quantum physics occupies a fascinating place at the cutting edge of modern scientific research, allowing today’s scientists to plumb new depths when it comes to matter and motion. Ben Gliniecki looks at a new book, Quantum Social Science, which argues that applying the logic of quantum theory to social systems can take our understanding of human society to a whole new level. Without realising it, these scientists are following in the footsteps of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, who developed the ideas of dialectical materialism.
To celebrate Ted Grant's centenary year, we are re-publishing this chapter from the book "Reason in Revolt" by Ted Grant and Alan Woods, which examines the role of philosophy in society and compares the materialist method of Marxism with the idealism of religion and other philosophy. For more on this subject, come to the Marxist Summer School this weekend, where Daniel Morley will be talking on Marxism, Philosophy, and Science.