Lecture 6: Social constructionism, anti-positivism, hermeneutics

Question 1

What is the anti-positivist response?

Answer 1

• Response against positivism and logical positivism
• Start late 1800s
• Foundation for social constructionism and qualitative social science research

Question 2

What are the general themes of the anti-positivist response?

Answer 2

• Human realm: In positivism is more about the natural realm. How are humans different? Language, culture, relationships, belief systems, religion, etc.
• Kuhn: The scientist is part of the human realm when they ask questions about it.
• Historical social context: You ask about the people involved. The human experience is meaningful
• The knowledge outcome is always an approximate, it is never finished.

Question 3

What is Verstehen?

Answer 3

• By Droysen (mid 1800s)
• Human sciences should provide a deep understanding of the human experience.
• It is more relational (based on relationships and connections) and values and culture.
• The context is important, the individual is embedded in this
• Approach in natural sciences: what I observe, predictions, regularities. Approach in human sciences: interpret, understand, value, think about, express.