
Beyond Sociology's Tower of Babel: Reconstructing the Scientific Method
By Bernard PhillipsTo look outside the discipline of sociology is to find little credibility given to the field as science. Bernard Phillips argues that we are learning to see ever more clearly the contradiction between scientific standards and what in fact has been achieved by sociology. Instead of knowledge based on the full range of our findings, we have separate pieces of knowledge located within the diverse areas of the discipline, and fads and fashions in the ideas and terms we use with relatively little cumulative development. This has led many to question whether any "scientific method" can be applied to human behavior. If the arguments and alternative interpretations in this book on the problematic nature of sociology's use of scientific method prove to be credible and fruitful, then the implications are profound. For example, the conclusions drawn for every single social science study that has ever been conducted would be open to reinterpretation, because they fail to take into account systematically the enormous complexity involved within any given instance of human behavior. Our present approach assumes implicitly that the pieces of the human jigsaw puzzle can at some point be put together so as to yield a coherent picture. Yet, as Phillips shows, if each piece is itself deficient, then no coherent picture emerges when we attempt to put the pieces together. Refusing to take the current fragmentation of sociology as inevitable, Phillips offers a clear vision, through a series of heuristic "web" images, of how sociologists might achieve the cumulative development and credibility that are the hallmarks of any science. His research draws heavily on the works of classical and contemporary theorists, philosophers, and historians of science, as well as on postmodernist critiques and responses to postmodernism. This reconstruction will be useful for courses in method in the study of the classical tradition of sociology. Bernard Phillips was introduced to sociology at Columbia University by C. Wright Mills. A former professor of sociology at Boston University, cofounder of the ASA Section on Sociological Practice and founder of the Sociological Imagination Group, his publications emphasize methodology and theory.
Book details
- Paperback
- 242 pages
- English
- 0202306666
- 9780202306667
About Bernard Phillips
bernard phillips was introduced to sociology at columbia university by c. wright mills. a former professor of sociology at boston university, cofounder of Read More about Bernard Phillips
More Books By Bernard Phillips
People who bought this also bought
International Airport: The Story of Kennedy Airport and U.S. Commercial Aviation book by George Scullin
Used Book
The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions book by Jason Hickel
New Book
The Female Vision: Women's Real Power at Work book by Sally Helgesen
New Book
How to Be a Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living book by Massimo Pigliucci
New Book
Boss Up!: This Ain?t Your Mama?s Business Book book by Lindsay Teague Moreno
New Book
Unscripted: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Entrepreneurship book by M.J. DeMarco
New Book
Destiny And Power: The American Odessey of George Herbert Walker Bush book by John Meacham
New Book
For Those Who Can't Believe : Overcoming the Obstacles to Faith
Used Book
The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea book by Sebastian Junger
Used Book
Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes book by Cyrus Khambatta
New Book
Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World book by Jennifer Palmieri
New Book
Reader's Digest Live Longer Cookbook - 500 Delicious Recipes For Healthy Living
Used Book
Drop Dead Healthy: One Man's Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection book by A. J. Jacobs
Used Book
Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door book by Lynne Truss
New Book
Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life book by Diane Tavenner
New Book