The scientific method is basically the resolution of a truth through the exclusion of variables until one or few possibilities remain. The fact that Marx (or was it Engels?) even coined the term "scientific socialism" to distinguish from utopians leads me to question his understanding of the scientific method.
Simply reading history and noting patterns is not "scientific." Science requires a controlling constant for which to eliminate variables. All social science can do is make an educated guess (although most science in reality also fails to eliminate all the variables).
Frankly, trying to apply philosophical concepts like "dialectical materialism" to hard science can only send us down the road of Lysenko.
Yours,
Eric
Chris Burford wrote:
>
> Further from Bhaskar's entry on Dialectics in the Dictionary of Marxist
> Thought, Bhaskar whom Andrew claims supports him entirely, states,
>
> "Often Marx uses "dialectical" as synonym for 'scientific' method."
>
> Clearly Marx was interested in the whole range of scientific knowledge as
> the discussion of organic compounds in Chapter 1 of Capital illustrates. It
> would be very strange if he did not consider the proper approach to that to
> be dialectical.
>
> "Absolutely incredible" of course for Andy if he did.
>
> Chris Burford
>
> London