Marxism and Science Studies: A Sweep through the Decades

Abstract

This article outlines the distinctive contribution of Marxism to science studies. It traces the trajectory of Marxist ideas through the decades from the origins of Marxism to the present conjuncture. It looks at certain key episodes, such as the arrival of a Soviet delegation at the International History of Science Congress in London in 1931, as well as subsequent interactions between Marxists and exponents of other positions at later international congresses. It focuses on the impact of several generations of Marxists who have engaged with science in diverse ways. It examines the influence of Marxism on contemporary trends in science studies. It concludes that Marxism survives in circuitous and complex ways. It argues not only for a positive interpretation of its contribution in the past but for its explanatory and ethical power in the present and future.

Acknowledgements

Various versions of this paper were given at the Princeton University conference, Science at the Crossroads: Geopolitics, Marxism and 75 Years of Science Studies, marking the 75th anniversary of the 1931 History of Science Congress, 30 March to 1 April 2006; at the conference on Scientists and Social Commitment: Historical Perspectives on the Political, Religious and Philosophical Ideas and Activity of Scientists, 15 to 17 September 2006, sponsored by the British Society for the History of Science at the Science Museum, London; at the 34th Annual Philosophy of Science Conference at the Inter‐University Centre, Dubrovnik, 16 to 20 April 2007; and at the University of London lecture series on Marxism and the Interpretation of Culture, 5 May 2007. I received many challenging comments from colleagues in response. I am especially grateful to Loren Graham, Gary Werskey, Philip Kitcher, Christopher Chilvers, Everett Mendelsohn, and James McAllister for their interactions and suggestions. I am also grateful to a number of younger philosophers and historians who were present and brought fresh inquiry to the subject matter.

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Notes on contributors

Helena Sheehan

Helena Sheehan is at the School of Communications, Dublin City University.