Against Grand Theories: A (Cautionary) Tale of Two Disciplines

Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F49777513%3A23330%2F20%3A43953666" target="_blank" >RIV/49777513:23330/20:43953666 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://teorievedy.flu.cas.cz/index.php/tv/article/view/470/538" target="_blank" >https://teorievedy.flu.cas.cz/index.php/tv/article/view/470/538</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.46938/tv.2020.470" target="_blank" >10.46938/tv.2020.470</a>

Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Against Grand Theories: A (Cautionary) Tale of Two Disciplines
Original language description
In this paper, I combine an exposition of the historical development of sociology and the philosophy of science from the era of grand theories onwards, with an explication as to why the grand theories have failed. First, I trace some parallels in the history of each of the disciplines. After presenting their chronological development, I scrutinize the metatheoretical findings about the disciplines and examine the main ontological and epistemic reasons why attempts at these general theories or frameworks have not succeeded. Among them are the lack of a universal methodology and of a theoretical core, together with the impossibility of achieving a common objective view. On this basis I conclude that general theories or frameworks are not achievable in principle. As it turns out, however, some contemporary social theorists and philosophers still harbor hopes that they can be successfully formulated, or at the least do not rule out such a possibility. Thus, in closing, I argue that the critical points can also be applied to these latest attempts, as the call for grand theories or frameworks has never ceased and returns regularly with each new generation of social theorists and philosophers of science.
Czech name
—
Czech description
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Type
J<sub>SC</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the SCOPUS database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
60301 - Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology

Project
<a href="/en/project/GA18-08239S" target="_blank" >GA18-08239S: Objectivity: An Experimental Approach to the Traditional Philosophical Question</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year
2020
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

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