Moderne wetenschapstheorie en symbolisch interactionisme: Enkele problemen

Samenvatting

There is a continuing debate in sociology on theoretical pluralism, stimulated by a continuing contest of schools of thought, & nursed by a scientific research program, based on the necessity of a pluralism of theories for the progress of science. When the achievements of this research program in particular, & modern philosophy of science in general are applied to sociology, some problems occur. Most sociological 'theories' are only proposals for theory construction. One such proposal--symbolic interactionism--is discussed. When symbolic interactionism is examined in the contexts of modern philosophy of science & the research program, difficulties arise. (1) Is it possible to elaborate the symbolic interactionistic perspective & obtain an explanatory theory? (2) What can be done about the rejection of some symbolic interactionists of the covering law model of explanation? Is their rejection solidly grounded? These problems concern intertheory relations. Some reconstructed symbolic interactionistic explanatory theories are congruent with the symbolic interactionistic observational theory which leads to severe problems of testing & measurement. However, using the achievements of modern philosophy of science, satisfactory solutions for these problems can be found. AA.