In difesa della sociologia come scienza

The paper presents the recent Italian edition of John Goldthorpe’s On Sociology from the point of view of the current discussion on the epistemological status of the social sciences. The topic is particularly relevant in Italy, where a strong tradition of scientific sociology never truly developed....

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Main Author: Gabriele Ballarino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Rosenberg & Sellier 2007-11-01
Series:Quaderni di Sociologia
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/qds/913
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author Gabriele Ballarino
author_facet Gabriele Ballarino
author_sort Gabriele Ballarino
collection DOAJ
description The paper presents the recent Italian edition of John Goldthorpe’s On Sociology from the point of view of the current discussion on the epistemological status of the social sciences. The topic is particularly relevant in Italy, where a strong tradition of scientific sociology never truly developed. Goldthorpe’s position is described, and it is argued it is likely to have a strong impact on the Italian debate, given the relatively weak support scientific sociology traditionally receives in Italian academia. The majority of Italian sociologists are not familiar with quantitative methods and rigorous reasoning: Goldthorpe’s influence could push at least a part of them towards a more scientific approach. Then Goldthorpe’s theoretical foundations are discussed, with particular reference to rational action theory. It is argued that Goldhtorpe support for rational action theory and methodological individualism has at least three roots: a negative one, an analytical one, and a substantive one. The latter is the one that may prove weaker, from both a substantive and a sociology of science point of view.
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spelling doaj.art-1530506ef8ef4024a3d7e23f84cdd6712024-02-14T14:23:09ZengRosenberg & SellierQuaderni di Sociologia0033-49522421-58482007-11-014524325010.4000/qds.913In difesa della sociologia come scienzaGabriele BallarinoThe paper presents the recent Italian edition of John Goldthorpe’s On Sociology from the point of view of the current discussion on the epistemological status of the social sciences. The topic is particularly relevant in Italy, where a strong tradition of scientific sociology never truly developed. Goldthorpe’s position is described, and it is argued it is likely to have a strong impact on the Italian debate, given the relatively weak support scientific sociology traditionally receives in Italian academia. The majority of Italian sociologists are not familiar with quantitative methods and rigorous reasoning: Goldthorpe’s influence could push at least a part of them towards a more scientific approach. Then Goldthorpe’s theoretical foundations are discussed, with particular reference to rational action theory. It is argued that Goldhtorpe support for rational action theory and methodological individualism has at least three roots: a negative one, an analytical one, and a substantive one. The latter is the one that may prove weaker, from both a substantive and a sociology of science point of view.https://journals.openedition.org/qds/913
spellingShingle Gabriele Ballarino
In difesa della sociologia come scienza
Quaderni di Sociologia
title In difesa della sociologia come scienza
title_full In difesa della sociologia come scienza
title_fullStr In difesa della sociologia come scienza
title_full_unstemmed In difesa della sociologia come scienza
title_short In difesa della sociologia come scienza
title_sort in difesa della sociologia come scienza
url https://journals.openedition.org/qds/913
work_keys_str_mv AT gabrieleballarino indifesadellasociologiacomescienza