Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 10:46:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: Howie Chodos <howie-AT-magi.com>
Subject: Re: BHA: m o  r  e    p r  o  l  o  n  g   i   n   g


[This is an edited version of a post I originally sent the day before
yesterday, since I have seen no evidence that it ever made it through; to
anyone who got it twice, apologies]



I think we have now reached as much agreement as we can at present, and it
is quite extensive. I've learnt a great deal from everyone's contributions
and have found this exchange to be a very valuable way of trying to clarify
my own thoughts. My remaining frustration is that despite our considerable
agreement there still seems to be some remaining differences in emphasis
that we are unable to fully elucidate. 

My sense is that what we are grappling with is precisely the problem that
Colin underlines: theorising the TMSA as a solution to the problems of both
individualism and collectivism. How do we hold onto the residual truths that
are contained in both strands of social theory, while at the same time
understanding their interaction in a way which does not grant a priori
primacy to one side or the other of the equation? Is it possible to resolve
this in principle, or is it always an empirical problem, one which can only
be 'resolved' in the course of actual social scientific practice? I think
that we are pushing against the limits of theory, and though we have made
good progress, I still have the feeling that there is more to be said. But
not now.

Howie Chodos




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