Dialectic as method: the reduction of dialectic by Marx

Abstract

Methods of theory building are rare in science. Particularly in social sciences, the competition between qualitative and quantitative schools has always been prevalent, even in discussing theory building. Another method that has been neglected for decades, even though its application is discussed the most of all social science’s classics , is Dialectic Materialism (DiaMat) as method of theory building. The DiaMat has been developed by Karl Marx, adopted by a wide range of Marxist theorists and broadly discussed and criticized in its epistemological function by scientists all over the world. Its fruitfulness and usefulness for social theory building will be outlined here and it will be demonstrated that the method is not yet complete. In identifying the gap, this paper aims to both give a state of the art at a new methodological frontier and reveal crucial points on which further method debate should focus.