Enige kentheoretische aspecten van sociale stratificatie

Samenvatting

An examination of social stratification from the point of view of the SofK. The chief epistemological problem of research on social stratification is seen in the lack of coordination between concepts (which are often vague) and concrete facts (which are often presented in a confused fashion). Social stratification is defined as a classification of individuals, professions and professional groups with reference to a higher or lower social evaluation. It produces a scale of ranks, which is partly subjective and partly objective. A method to increase the objective character of social stratification is outlined which consists of making mathematical X's of social evaluations. The question is raised of whether a general social stratification is necessary; this is denied on the ground that the most important evaluator of what is 'higher' and 'lower' is the individual concerned; the opinions of others matter only as they affect his judgments. I. Langnas.