|
Showing 1 - 7 of
7 matches in All Departments
This book introduces social scientists to the difference that
critical realism can make to theorising and methodological problems
within the contemporary social sciences. The chapters, which cover
such topics as cultural studies, feminism, globalization, heterodox
economics, education policy, the self, and the 'underclass' debate,
are arranged in four sections dealing with some of the major topics
in contemporary social science: ethics, the consequences of the
'linguistic turn', methodology and globalization.
In recent years, methodological debates in the social sciences have
increasingly focused on issues relating to epistemology. Realism
and Sociology makes an original contribution to the debate,
charting a middle ground between postmodernism and positivism.
Critics often hold that realism tries to assume some definitive
account of reality. Against this it is argued throughout the book
that realism can combine a strong definition of social reality with
an anti-foundational approach to knowledge. The position of realist
anti-foundationalism that is argued for is developed and defended
via the use of immanent critiques. These deal primarily with
post-Wittgensteinian positions that seek to define knowledge and
social reality in terms of 'rule-following practices' within
different 'forms of life' and 'language games'. Specifically, the
argument engages with Rorty's neo-pragmatism and the structuration
theory of Giddens. The philosophy of Popper is also drawn upon in a
critically appreciative way. While the positions of Rorty and
Giddens seek to deflate the claims of 'grand theory', albeit in
different ways, they both end up with definitive claims about
knowledge and reality that preclude social research. By avoiding
the general deflationary approach that relies on reference to
'practices', realism is able to combine a strong social ontology
with an anti-foundational epistemology, and thus act as an
underlabourer for empirical research.
In recent years, methodological debates in the social sciences have increasingly focused on issues relating to epistemology. Realism and Sociology makes an original contribution to the debate, charting a middle ground between postmodernism and positivism. Critics often hold that realism tries to assume some definitive account of reality. Against this it is argued throughout the book that realism can combine a strong definition of social reality with an anti-foundational approach to knowledge. The position of realist anti-foundationalism that is argued for is developed and defended via the use of immanent critiques. These deal primarily with post-Wittgensteinian positions that seek to define knowledge and social reality in terms of 'rule-following practices' within different 'forms of life' and 'language games'. Specifically, the argument engages with Rorty's neo-pragmatism and the structuration theory of Giddens. The philosophy of Popper is also drawn upon in a critically appreciative way. While the positions of Rorty and Giddens seek to deflate the claims of 'grand theory', albeit in different ways, they both end up with definitive claims about knowledge and reality that preclude social research. By avoiding the general deflationary approach that relies on reference to 'practices', realism is able to combine a strong social ontology with an anti-foundational epistemology, and thus act as an underlabourer for empirical research. eBook available with sample pages: 0203116704
This book introduces social scientists to the difference that critical realism can make to theorising and methodological problems within the contemporary social sciences. The chapters, which cover such topics as cultural studies, feminism, globalization, heterodox economics, education policy, the self, and the 'underclass' debate, are arranged in four sections dealing with some of the major topics in contemporary social science: ethics, the consequences of the 'linguistic turn', methodology and globalization. eBook available with sample pages: 0203512308
Higher education exposes a key paradox of neoliberalism. The
project of neoliberalism was said to be that of rolling back the
state to liberate individuals, by replacing government bureaucracy
with the free market. Rather than have the market serve individuals
however, individuals were to serve the market. The marketisation
'reforms' in higher education, which sought to reshape knowledge
production, with students investing in human capital and academics
producing 'transferable' research, to make higher education of use
to the economy, has resulted in extensive government bureaucracy
and oppressive managerialist bureaucracy which is inefficient and
expensive. Neoliberalism has always had authoritarian aspects and
these are now coming to bear on universities. The state does not
want critical and informed graduate citizens, but a hollowed out
public sphere defined by consumption, willing servitude to the
market and deference to state power. Attempts to reshape
universities with bureaucracy are now accompanied by a culture war,
attacking the production of critical knowledge. The authors in this
book explore these issues and the possibilities for resistance and
progressive change.
To what extent is neoliberalism undermining democracy and
distorting the values of science? Can and should science be treated
as an exemplar for a more dialogic democracy? Are universities and
public intellectuals able to develop a more dialogically engaged
public? What role should there be for 'experts' in a more dialogic
democracy? Does information and communications technology present a
potential to enhance democracy or increase the control and
manipulation of knowledge and the public by corporations? This
timely volume explores these pressing questions, in a dialogue
based on developing and applying the recovery of the 'critical
Popper', which highlights his contemporary relevance to the
critique of neoliberal political economy in the age of
technocapitalism. This book will be discussed in an online
roundtable on the Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective.
Information about the SERRC can be found here:
https://social-epistemology.com/
To what extent is neoliberalism undermining democracy and
distorting the values of science? Can and should science be treated
as an exemplar for a more dialogic democracy? Are universities and
public intellectuals able to develop a more dialogically engaged
public? What role should there be for 'experts' in a more dialogic
democracy? Does information and communications technology present a
potential to enhance democracy or increase the control and
manipulation of knowledge and the public by corporations? This
timely volume explores these pressing questions, in a dialogue
based on developing and applying the recovery of the 'critical
Popper', which highlights his contemporary relevance to the
critique of neoliberal political economy in the age of
technocapitalism. This book will be discussed in an online
roundable on the Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective.
Information about the SERRC can be found here:
https://social-epistemology.com/
|
You may like...
Poor Things
Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, …
DVD
R449
R329
Discovery Miles 3 290
Loot
Nadine Gordimer
Paperback
(2)
R398
R330
Discovery Miles 3 300
Loot
Nadine Gordimer
Paperback
(2)
R398
R330
Discovery Miles 3 300
|