
Cultures of Inquiry
From Epistemology to Discourse in Sociohistorical Research
John R. Hall(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 28. June 1999
Book
Hardback
330 pages
978-0-521-64220-0 (ISBN)
Description
Cultures of Inquiry provides an overview of research methodologies in social science, historical and cultural studies. Facing Kant's proposition that pure reason cannot contain social inquiry, John R. Hall uses a method of hermeneutic deconstruction to produce a 'critique of impure reason', thereby charting a 'third path' to knowledge. Inquiries conventionally allocated to science or interpretation, modern or postmodern, he argues, depend upon interconnected methodologies that transcend present-day disciplinary and interdisciplinary boundaries. He identifies four formative discourses and eight methodological practices of inquiry, and explores new possibilities for translation between different types of knowledge. Cultures of Inquiry neither exoticizes academic subcultures nor essentializes Culture as the spirit of academe. Instead, it addresses workaday issues of research via a sociology of knowledge that speaks to controversies concerning how inquiry is and ought to be practiced under conditions of epistemological disjuncture.
Reviews / Votes
"...an illuminating and useful review." American Journal of Sociology "...valuable exploration of modes of sociohistorical research or inquiry... Halls' presentation is rigorous and thorough." Stephen M. Feldman, Contemporary SociologyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
11 Tables, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
688 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-64220-0 (9780521642200)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2005
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€36.99
Available for download
Person
Content
Prologue; 1. Introduction; Part I. Formative Discourses: 2. Value discourse and the object of inquiry; 3. Narrative cultures and inquiry; 4. The conceptual possibilities of social theoretical discourse; 5. The core of explanation and interpretation as formative discourse; Part II. Practices of Inquiry: 6. Discursive hybrids of practice: an introductory schema; 7. Generalizing practices of inquiry; 8. Particularizing practices of inquiry; 9. The prospects of inquiry.