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Prediction v/s Determinism

By Anonymous

In the previous class we briefly touched upon the topics of the explicative and predictive powers of Marxist theory in general and materialism in particular. In reference to materialist standpoint and Artz (2006) article, I find myself struggling with the three concepts of Explanation/ Prediction and Determinism. While Lee as well as materialism clearly posits that material forces have a critical role to play in almost any conspicuous social change they also maintain that the historical circumstances do not alone determine the course various phenomena eventually take (it is here that Artz (2006) leaves the scope for individual action). The explanation offered by materialism of historical phenomenon is understandably in retrospect. Given these tenets I find myself unable to understand how and where does Marxist theory derive its predictive aspect. In connection to this, but somewhat at a tangent, I also (may be naïvely/ incorrectly) find the notions of predictability and non-determinism incompatible when extrapolated logically. I therefore struggle with this conceptual triad and would welcome insights from all to clarify the same.

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