sociology field's progress/improvement, The Philosophy and History of Science/Finalization in Science reviewed
Samenvatting
A discussion of the extent to which sociologists have succeeded in advancing their discipline. After an examination of how continuity & progress are measured in the science of science & in the sociology of sociology, the analytical techniques of Imre Lakatos's Wetenschapsfilosofie en Wetenschapsgeschiedenis ([The Philosophy and History of Science], Meppel: Boom, 1972) & G. Bohme's, W. van den Daele's, & W. Krohn's "Finalisering in de wetenschap" ([Finalization in Science] in Macht over Wetenschap [Power over Science], Rip, A., & Groenewegen, P. [Eds], Bilthoven: Ambo, 1974) are reviewed. Key evaluative criteria include the enhancement of knowledge, the application of knowledge to solve practical problems, improvement of methods, & activities related to sociology as a social system. Methods have been improved during the 1970s, but more sophistication is needed in showing the limits of the available methods. Sociology has been somewhat hampered by the numerous schools. Some signs of convergence can be detected, however, which should increase when marginals & mainliners engage in practical research problems. 97 References. Modified HA.
