A Balanced Epistemological Orientation for the Social Sciences

Charles F. Gattone

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English

Lexington Books
15 March 2024

Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge; Sociology; Social theory

A Balanced Epistemological Orientation for the Social Sciences challenges social researchers to rethink the epistemological assumptions grounding their work. It reviews the strengths and weaknesses of four salient epistemological orientations in the field – positivism, relativism, interpretivism, and intersubjectivism – to identify the characteristics of a theoretically-informed epistemology for social science. Relying on such an epistemology means seeking a deeper understanding of the social world without losing sight of the constructed nature of one’s conceptual frames. It involves adopting a reflexive position with regard to the norms and traditions in one’s area of specialization and in the field as a whole. Epistemologically-balanced social research is neither the dispassionate gathering of factual information, nor the elaboration of universal assessments formed on the basis of armchair speculation. It involves engaging in inquiry in an independent manner and being aware of the perspectival character of the claims being made in the attempt to shed new light on social phenomena. The caliber of social science can be elevated when researchers recognize the symbolic nature of their work and the significance of their conclusions in the larger social order.

By: Charles F. Gattone
Imprint: Lexington Books
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 228mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 11mm
Weight: 227g
ISBN: 9781793631466
ISBN 10: 1793631468
Pages: 142
Publication Date: 15 March 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Charles F. Gattone is associate professor of sociology at the University of Florida

Reviews for A Balanced Epistemological Orientation for the Social Sciences

Charles F. Gattone reconsiders critically, lucidly, and succinctly the strengths and limitations of major theories of social knowledge. He traverses broad, complex intellectual terrain effectively with a constructive emphasis on closing the gap between social theory and social inquiry. Entertaining the questions he poses enhances our reflexivity about our production of sociological knowledge. This book is a remarkable project and contains a body of excellent critique and argument, constituting a concise and accurate analysis of the topic. The book draws on the epistemological tradition of modernity, but introduces a novel argument making it a strong competitor among any book dealing with the epistemology of the twentieth and the twenty-first centuries. The book makes a significant contribution to the literature because it draws a comparison between dominant epistemological trends.