Week 1 Flashcards
(18 cards)
Semantic question of theory
“What does theory mean?”
What are the 3 reasons for needing a semantic analysis of “theory”?
- It will improve understanding and communication, without which there can be no productive (indeed, no meaningful) substantive discussion.
- It will prevent Socratic error.
- It will show that how one ought to use the word “theory” is to a great extent a political or practical-reason problem.
Socratic error
The belief that theory is an object out there that our concepts or language can track down.
Evaluative question of theory
“What is a good theory?”
Ontological question of theory
“What is theory?”
The teleological question of theory
“What is theory for?”
Theory1
A general series of logically connected propositions about the relationships between two or more variables.
Theory2
Explanations of specific, unique social phenomena.
Theory3
Explanations of social phenomena from an interpretative approach aimed at understanding lived experiences.
Theory4
The study of the theory itself, examining the origins and underlying assumptions of certain theories or schools of thought.
Theory5
This meaning of theory refers to Weltanschauung and the underlying ontological and epistemological assumptions.
Weltanshauung
The overall perspective from which one sees and understands the world.
Theory6
A subtype of theory 5 that has a fundamentally normative component.
Theory7
This approach addresses the empirical issues that sociologists encounter. Often include theory4 elements and are often theory4 as well.
Semantic therapy
To be made aware of the different semantic meanings of therapy.
Semantic predicament
“How ought sociologists to use the word “theory”? It has two principles, namely, the principle of practical reason and the principle of ontological and epistemological pluralism.
Principle of practical reason
SP is a practical/political problem, which calls for practical/political methods and solutions. A solution to SP must be the outcome of a collective process of discussion and negotiations.
Principle of ontological and epistemological pluralism
A solution to SP should make as few ontological and epistemological demands as possible.
