The collapse of communism has prompted a re-examination of the Marxist legacy. Dialectics is a neglected and underdeveloped part of this legacy, which is now starting to receive the attention it warrants. In particular, dialectics has a great deal to contribute to current debates on methodology and epistemology in the social sciences. A leading proponent of the new dialectics is Bertell Ollman, whose contribution is assessed here. This article argues that his account of dialectics is flawed, but that there remains the germ of a dialectical approach to the themes of identity, truth and knowledge. The article explores these themes and suggests new avenues for their theoretical development.
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