----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 1999 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: Social Stratification
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 1999 5:38
AM
Subject: RE: Social Stratification
Well
I basically agree with you re: the following I have also found that debunking
"mainstream" sociology (theory and research) often leads to students leaping
to a debunking of social science generally. A sign of the times, perhaps, but
nonetheless something that needs to be carefully considered and dealt
with.
===================================
a reply:
I understand the point and agree about the
danger, but it is still necessary to debunk mainstream "junk science" even at
the risk of students' becoming skeptical of genuine science (whatever that
is....). If we fight for open-minded, multi-method investigation and
rigorous examination -- in other words, if we fight hard for "good science",
then, when we critique junk science, our colleagues and students will
understand that we are not calling for what I call "folklore", which sounds
good, makes people feel good, has a certain "demogogic-posing-as-democratic"
appeal, but which can actually be appealing to crude prejudice!
It is parallel to critiquing mainstream politics. We risk building
support for Buchanan and the ultra-conservatives when we critique the
IMF-Chase Manhattan-mainstream imperialist enterprises, but that just means
that we have to work harder and more meticulously.
Alan Spector