De krisis in de sociale wetenschap: het probleem der vooronderstellingen

Samenvatting

The crisis in social science originates in epistemology as well as in SofK, & can be called the problem of presuppositions. The epistemological character of the crisis manifests itself by the fact that scientific thought itself had become problematic. The sociological aspect shows itself by the incompatibility between the social role the sociologist wants to fulfill on one side, & the methodological possibilities of prevailing paradigmata on the other. 3 groups of presuppositions can be distinguished in social science, corresponding to the main directions of the philosophical tradition, namely social metaphysics, theory of knowledge, & theory of value. Social metaphysics offers a diversity of assumptions which are categorical distinctions within social processes. Social epistemology shows that perception can be taken as an empirical foundation of social thought. But social action can also afford a foundation & so can the logical resources of natural & artificial language systems. Values manifest themselves as the aims of social thought. The aims of traditional theory center on the conditions of human communication & reliable information. Critical theory is concerned with ethical problems in relation to social science & especially with emancipatory processes. Interpretative theory is an elaboration of the quest for self-knowledge in respect to social events. The diversity of these presuppositions makes a social theory of knowledge necessary, which can show the interrelations between them & can serve as a foundation of social thought. The possibility of resolving the current crisis of social science depends on the elaboration of such a theory. Modified AA.