Reconsideration of Science and Technology I

Book excerpt: This volume analyzes Karl Marx’s understanding of science and technology and how it is associated with his focus on the perspective of history and human practice, seeking to illuminate a renewed understanding of science and technology from a Marxist angle. As the first volume of a three-volume set that proposes to reconsider science and technology and explores how the philosophy of science and technology responds to an ever-changing world, the book delves into Marx’s analysis of scientific and technological problems and phenomena across five chapters. The authors explain the positioning of science and technology and the Marxist theoretical perspective of history and practice from which Marx’s views on science and technology derive before an examination of three focal dimensions pertaining to science and technology: productivity, technological alienation and liberty. Not always viewed as central to Marx’s works, discussions on science and technology are often underdeveloped – but a reinterpretation of Marx’s thoughts on the issues corroborates the efficacy of Marxism in terms of understanding today’s world and especially the development of science and technology. The volume will appeal to scholars and students interested in Marxist philosophy, the philosophy of science and technology and topics related to scientific culture.