Richtingen in de methodologie en de keuze van pretenties

Samenvatting

A conflict exists in sociology between pretention and skepticism. 3 pretentions are associated with the conflict: the objectivizing of the observation process, generalization, and social usefulness. These pretentions are not found in the work of M. Weber. Critical sociology does not subscribe to all 3 of these pretentions; it is most compatible with the pretention relating to social usefulness. Objectivized observation is the pretention which is not accepted by phenomenologically-oriented sociology, it is also less concerned with social usefulness. Obviously, the theories most concerned with being truly 'scientific' have the strongest pretentions in regard to the objectivization of observations. An example of this type is operationally-oriented sociology. Strict acceptance of this principle, however, leads to conflicts with the pretention to social usefulness. It appears that none of the theories is capable of bringing about all 3 of the pretentions. P. Tiersma.