For many years now, storm clouds have been amassing on the horizon in the field of theoretical physics, with an accumulation of evidence and inconsistencies that bring the current cosmological models into question. In this article, Adam Booth explores and analyses the crisis in modern science from a Marxist perspective.

Marxism attaches great importance to the question of science. Here we see both the potential for human advance and the destructive grip of capitalism. In this article, adapted from the 2002 introduction to the German edition of Reason in Revolt, Alan Woods looks at how the ideas of Marxism relate to the most recent scientific developments and the crisis of capitalism.

Centuries of scientific research and investigation have helped to propel society forwards and improve the lives of millions. But, as with all other areas of society, the senility and decay of capitalism is now being reflected in the question of science also, and many are starting to worry about the reliability of research.