Peirce, pragmaticism and public sociology
Translating an interpretation into praxis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20034423 |
|---|---|
| Authors | J I Bakker (corresponding author), J I Hans Bakker |
| Year | 2009 |
| Pages | 229-257 |
| Publication date | 2009-11-26 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | Nature, knowledge and negation (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Emerald Group Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1108/s0278-1204(2009)0000026012 |
| OpenAlex | W2475725484 |
| ISBN | 9781849506052 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 6 |
This paper endeavours to translate Peirce's ideas into paradigmatic sociological theory in general, and praxis linked to that paradigmatic theory. Greater comprehension of the general usefulness of a Peircian Pragmaticist semiotic perspective (and ‘fallibilism’) will enhance social action and collective responsibilities. As a philosopher, C. S. Peirce interpreted the world, but he himself did not attempt to change it. How can we incorporate a unifying ‘perspective’ such as Peirce's theory into ‘method’ (both methodology and techniques)? How does that an emphasis on methodology improves sociology as an empirically based, rigorous discipline (a human ‘science’) and various forms of praxis, especially applied sociology and public sociology? If politics is going to have any long-term impact, there has to be a degree of sophistication about the theories involved (e.g. conservation of fundamental human rights and liberties, reform within liberal parliamentary democracies, transformation within neo-conservative regimes, applied sociology in professions and occupations like social work and criminology, Feminist critique and action, GLTB action, neo-Gramscian critiques and Michael Burawoy's ‘public sociology’ in the narrow, technical sense.) Praxis can include many forms of political activity that are not specifically informed by any well-developed and coherent theory. In terms of Peirce's Pragmaticist semiotics, we can translate theoretical awareness into praxis, to interpret and to change the world. Good theory and methodology is the most practical way to promote useful social action, applied sociology and public sociology. Anything less than Peircian Pragmaticism and semiotics tends to lead to fragmentation of ‘paradigms’ or postmodernist nihilism
Critical theory · Epistemology · Human science · Praxis · Semiotics · Social science · Sociology · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Philosophy · Pragmatism in Philosophy and Education · Social and Cultural Dynamics
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,2 |
| Citation span | 2011 - 2011 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |