Logic and Dialectics in Social Science, Part II

Dialectics, Formal Logic and Mathematics1

Bibliographic Data

ID2369747
AuthorsGuglielmo Carchedi (University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands,, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume34
Issue5
Pages631-656
Publication date2008-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCritical Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0896-9205 • E-ISSN: 1569-1632
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0896920508093361
OpenAlexW2040116095
LanguageEN
References cited18

Building upon the theory submitted in the previous issue of this journal, this article examines both similarities and differences with Engels' dialectics of nature. It argues that Engels' approach is unsuitable to reveal the specificity of society's movement towards both reproduction and supersession. It then considers the basic features of formal logic and compares them with dialectical logic. It stresses the class nature of formal logic and the conditions upon which the tools of formal logic (rather than formal logic itself) can be employed within dialectical reasoning. Particular attention is given to deduction and verification in dialectical and formal logic. Finally, Part II looks at Marx's Mathematical Manuscripts and argues, differently from other commentators, that the Manuscripts' real importance resides not in Marx's original method of differentiation but in their providing key insights into Marx's notion of dialectics. These insights are found to support the theory submitted in this work

Dialectic · Epistemology · Philosophy of logic · Social science · Sociology · Critical Theory and Philosophy · Philosophy · Political Economy and Marxism · Weber, Simmel, Sociological Theory