The article presents Karl Marx’s views on the connection between science and the economy. Science is depicted as a major force in influencing economic growth. For Marx, science works hand in hand with economics in progressively penetrating more intensely into the essence of human existence. Furthermore, the article indicates that the need for economic growth through capitalist approaches led to wide-ranging efforts towards harnessing the scientific potential. The transition from a feudal society to capitalism paved way for exploitation of scientific methods in improving production and the economy. In fact, following the onset of capitalism, extensive utilization of technical and scientific achievements took place including machinery, steam-navigation, industrial and agricultural application of chemistry, large scale farming as well as channeling rivers to increase productivity. Science and industry worked together for the realization of the remarkable purpose of capital utilization to create surplus value. As such, the author presents Marx’s idea that science crucially augments the society’s efforts in effective exploitation of the resources present in the environment.
Summary
In summary, Karl Marx's Theory of Science underlines the significance of science as a separate yet important factor in enhancing economic growth. Marx's view is that science stands as a force different from labor yet massively pressed into the utilization of capital. With capitalism, invention turn out to be a business, while its use in scientific ventures allows for the determination of its potential in enhancing production. As capitalists sought to reduce the cost of production and to devalue the employees’ specialized capabilities, the workers sought better terms. It became inevitable to have worker strikes that impeded production. Inventions resulted from the continuous conflicts between the employers and the workers. As a matter of fact, with each fresh workers’ strike of much significance, a new machine appeared as an induced invention. Through incorporating different examples of induced inventions, Marx asserts that scientific advancements, even in the more theoretic dimensions of science, are accredited to the necessity of having technical developments. It was the needs of production that thoroughly permeated science, prompting a lot of of the advancements in such abstract dimensions such as mathematical theories. Ultimately, most of the scientific advancements had inspiration from the challenges that faced industrial production.
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Further, the author indicates that in as much as capitalism inspires scientific advancements, it equally reduces the roles played by labor. The production of value quantities in the capitalist economy no longer rely on the sheer quantity of labor in the production setup. Instead, the need for a wide-range of scientific labor and industrial utilization of natural science impact the general production. As such, the dual necessities of the modern technological industry rest on the wide-ranging scientific labor alongside a synchronization of collective efforts.
Marx avoids the use of "skilled labor" as it entails the development of a specific industrial skill, and opts for "general scientific labor" thus indicating that capitalism does not seek the lessening of required labor time with the aim of having surplus labor, but seeks the overall decline of the needed labor to a minimum. In turn, the time set apart allows for the scientific, artistic, or other development dimensions of individuals in the capitalist economy. As a result of its inner workings, capitalism becomes incapable of attaining the promises of the scientific advancement it fosters. Therefore, Marx asserts that capitalism renders labor superfluous which works towards ousting it as the system controlling production.
Strengths of the essay
A major strength is that looks at alternative ways of utilizing science and labor to enhance production. The essay presents that Marx not only considered science as the key to improving society, but also advocated for a social enhancement of science. It points out that in light of Marx's idea, scientific developments occur in line with the prevailing mode of production. As such, with the elimination of the blinders of capitalism, it becomes possible for natural science to lose its idealistic inclination and emphasize on human science as the center of practical solutions. It also indicates that the recognition of science as a social force paves way for full expression of human capabilities. As a result, science will make the necessary contribution towards the formation of industry founded on a fuller utilization of the potential in labor. Ultimately, the essay shows that having a mutual corroboration between the mode of production and science will allow for the flourishing of scientific methods in industry. Through reference to different Marxist writers, it presents a multidimensional perspective on the various ways in which labor relates to science in enhancing the economy.
Weaknesses of the essay
The essay presents conflicting ideas on the impact of capitalist approaches on the workers. On the one hand, it presents that the intellectual facilities of the workers waste away in the industrial units. That machinery and technology undermine the economic power of the workers as seen during the industrialization period. On the other hand, it shows that technological advancements such as machinery arise from the needs of production and that machinery helps in overcoming human weaknesses.
Audience Analysis
The essay tailors its message to the values and needs of the target audience, who in this case are economic-oriented scholars. As it targets individuals who are well-acquainted with the topic, the essay presents detailed analysis of the ideas of Karl Marx regarding science and economy. It presents different points of view and comparative analysis that helps the audience in understanding the main idea.
Relation to today
For every economics scholar, Marx’s ideas remain relevant to today’s economics. Considering that the major form of production takes a capitalist approach, it becomes indeed necessary to examine the facts presented in Karl Marx's Theory of Science. The relationship between science and the economy is of much relevance to today’s world which makes the essay extremely important.
Reference
Perelman, M. (1978). Karl Marx’s Theory of Science. Journal of Economic Issues , 12(4), 859-870.
