The ‘New’ Sociology of Knowledge
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Bernt Schnettler
Abstract
The methodological and conceptual advances referred to below are based on a particular research tradition. In order to understand its implications, it is necessary to recall its main aspects. The sociology of knowledge was developed in a characteristic context, first as philosophical reflection on the conditions of human thinking and reasoning, and later evolving into a specific sociological perspective on the social conditions of knowledge production and dissemination. The social character of thinking has been observed: from Bacon to Marx, many theorists have been concerned to emphasize problems of ideology and to criticize the distorting effects that social influences have upon individual thinking. Conversely, thinking and knowledge production depend fundamentally on their social genesis.
Abstract
The methodological and conceptual advances referred to below are based on a particular research tradition. In order to understand its implications, it is necessary to recall its main aspects. The sociology of knowledge was developed in a characteristic context, first as philosophical reflection on the conditions of human thinking and reasoning, and later evolving into a specific sociological perspective on the social conditions of knowledge production and dissemination. The social character of thinking has been observed: from Bacon to Marx, many theorists have been concerned to emphasize problems of ideology and to criticize the distorting effects that social influences have upon individual thinking. Conversely, thinking and knowledge production depend fundamentally on their social genesis.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- List of Abbreviations IX
- Hermeneutic Philosophies of Social Science: Introduction 1
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I. Science and Method: Towards Hermeneutic Phenomenology of Social Science
- Toward an Interpretative or Hermeneutic Social Science 25
- Quantum Mechanics and the Social Sciences 51
- A Critical Hermeneutics of Agency: Cultural Studies as Critical Social Theory 63
- Overcoming Naturalism from Within: Dilthey, Nature, and the Human Sciences 89
- Hermeneutics from the Inside-Out and the Outside-In—And How Postmodernism Blew It All Wide Open 109
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II. Reflexive and Relational Hermeneutics
- The Sciences of Subjectivity 123
- Studies of Empirical Ontology and Ontological Difference 143
- Hermeneutics and Its Discontents in Philosophy of Science: On Bruno Latour, the “Science Wars”, Mockery, and Immortal Models 163
- On the Importance of Getting Things Straight 189
- Hans-Georg Gadamer’s Concept of the Horizon and Its Ethico-Political Critique 199
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III. Practice and Application: Hermeneutics, Social Theory
- Gadamer’s Hermeneutics as Practical Philosophy 219
- The ‘New’ Sociology of Knowledge 237
- Taking Plurality Seriously with Michel De Certeau: From History to ‘Reception Sociolinguistics’ 267
- Pragmatism and Hermeneutics 287
- Make It Scientific: Theories of Education from Dewey to Gadamer 295
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IV. Truth and Life: Life-Philosophy and History, Psychology and Theology
- The Hermeneutical Human and Social Sciences 315
- Life, Metaphysics, History: Reflections on the Contemporary Relevance of Dilthey’s Philosophy of Life 341
- Four Fundamental Aspects of the Reversal of Platonism 357
- Heidegger: Hermeneutics as “Preparation” for Thinking 373
- Hermeneutic Reflections on Descartes’ Introduction to His Meditations on First Philosophy 387
- List of Contributors 427
- Index 431
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- List of Abbreviations IX
- Hermeneutic Philosophies of Social Science: Introduction 1
-
I. Science and Method: Towards Hermeneutic Phenomenology of Social Science
- Toward an Interpretative or Hermeneutic Social Science 25
- Quantum Mechanics and the Social Sciences 51
- A Critical Hermeneutics of Agency: Cultural Studies as Critical Social Theory 63
- Overcoming Naturalism from Within: Dilthey, Nature, and the Human Sciences 89
- Hermeneutics from the Inside-Out and the Outside-In—And How Postmodernism Blew It All Wide Open 109
-
II. Reflexive and Relational Hermeneutics
- The Sciences of Subjectivity 123
- Studies of Empirical Ontology and Ontological Difference 143
- Hermeneutics and Its Discontents in Philosophy of Science: On Bruno Latour, the “Science Wars”, Mockery, and Immortal Models 163
- On the Importance of Getting Things Straight 189
- Hans-Georg Gadamer’s Concept of the Horizon and Its Ethico-Political Critique 199
-
III. Practice and Application: Hermeneutics, Social Theory
- Gadamer’s Hermeneutics as Practical Philosophy 219
- The ‘New’ Sociology of Knowledge 237
- Taking Plurality Seriously with Michel De Certeau: From History to ‘Reception Sociolinguistics’ 267
- Pragmatism and Hermeneutics 287
- Make It Scientific: Theories of Education from Dewey to Gadamer 295
-
IV. Truth and Life: Life-Philosophy and History, Psychology and Theology
- The Hermeneutical Human and Social Sciences 315
- Life, Metaphysics, History: Reflections on the Contemporary Relevance of Dilthey’s Philosophy of Life 341
- Four Fundamental Aspects of the Reversal of Platonism 357
- Heidegger: Hermeneutics as “Preparation” for Thinking 373
- Hermeneutic Reflections on Descartes’ Introduction to His Meditations on First Philosophy 387
- List of Contributors 427
- Index 431
