Marx's Methods of Theory Construction: Categories, Magnitudes, and Variations of Sizes of Magnitudes under Certain Idealizations

Abstract

The paper reconstructs the conceptual methods used in the construction of volume 1 of Capital (Marx 1976a) as well as in the manuscripts of its books 2 and 3, published in section 2 of the MEGA (Marx/Engels Gesamtausgabe 2). Drawing on them it identifies the key components of the conceptual methods Marx employed in Capital. It starts with a delineation of the methodological implications of Hegel's (2010) Science of Logic for Marx. Next it reconstructs the principal methods employed by Marx in volume 1 of Capital as well as in the manuscripts he intended for its book 2 and book 3. Finally, it presents a general characterization of these methods.