From: "Eric Fertain" <eric_fertain-AT-hotmail.com>
Subject: Sociology or epistemology ?
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 05:58:52 PDT


Alejandro Gonzalez wrote:
 
> Well... I dont think philosophical
> discussion is a waste of time, but I do think that sociology has to
> worry about some things more REAL, than only philosophical discussion.
> Is important to know where does a theorical position comes from, or > 
> what implications can have certain philosophical question in 
sociology,
> but... well, we are sociologist... not philosophers... WE HAVE to 
study society... 

The only epistemology that sociologists need is to be convincing in
there empirical works. A sociologist way to analyse this question is to
say that an empirical demonstration is not convincing for epistemologic
reasons but for social reasons. You will accept a category of
demonstration or a category or evidence if you are socialy and culturaly
able to accept them : a statistic demonstration needs people able to
accept this way of thinking.

The next point is what are the uses of Pierre Bourdieu in the English
speaking world or rather american academic world ? Is he another french
"post-modern" thinker that can be use to legitimate political positions
in the american context ? there is a "foucaldization process" whith
Bourdieu now in america,  no ? 
Can you made for the french reader a sociological analysis to the
reception of Pierre Bourdieu in each country an specialy in America ?

                                        Eric Fertain



______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
**********************************************************************
Contributions: bourdieu-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
Commands: majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
Requests: bourdieu-approval-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu