Sociology

Mending fences: Beyond the epistemological dilemma

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In his presidential address, Frank Munger (2001) asks us to consider a reconciliation between inquiry and activism. Although Munger uses the broader and more inclusive term “social inquiry” as his counterpoint to activism, I would like to focus on a particular type of inquiry, one that has deep roots in the Law and Society Association (LSA) and one that is most opposed to activism: social science inquiry. In short, I would argue that tensions that historically have kept the projects of inquiry and activism separate emerge out of a particular brand of inquiry known as empiricism and, among other things, its commitment to value freedom.

Publication Title

Law and Society Review

Publication Date

2001

Volume

35

Issue

1

First Page

21

Last Page

24

ISSN

0023-9216

DOI

10.2307/3185383

Keywords

Law and Society Association, inquiry, activism, empiricism

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