Regulating criticism: Some comments on an argumentative complex

TY - JOUR

T1 - Regulating criticism

T2 - Some comments on an argumentative complex

AU - Potter, Jonathan

AU - Edwards, Derek

AU - Ashmore, Malcolm

PY - 1999/11

Y1 - 1999/11

N2 - This commentary identifies a range of flaws and contradictions in Parker's critical realist position and his critique of relativism. In particular we highlight: (1) a range of basic errors in formulating the nature of relativism; (2) contradictions in the understanding and use of rhetoric; (3) problematic recruitment of the oppressed to support his argument; (4) tensions arising from the distinction between working in and against psychology. We conclude that critical realism is used to avoid doing empirical work, on the one hand, and to avoid scholarly interdisciplinary engagement, on the other.

AB - This commentary identifies a range of flaws and contradictions in Parker's critical realist position and his critique of relativism. In particular we highlight: (1) a range of basic errors in formulating the nature of relativism; (2) contradictions in the understanding and use of rhetoric; (3) problematic recruitment of the oppressed to support his argument; (4) tensions arising from the distinction between working in and against psychology. We conclude that critical realism is used to avoid doing empirical work, on the one hand, and to avoid scholarly interdisciplinary engagement, on the other.

KW - Critical realism

KW - Interdisciplinary engagement

KW - Psychology

KW - Relativism

KW - Rhetoric

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0040736202&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0040736202&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - https://doi.org/10.1177/09526959922120504

DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/09526959922120504

M3 - Article

SN - 0952-6951

VL - 12

SP - 79

EP - 88

JO - History of the Human Sciences

JF - History of the Human Sciences

IS - 4

ER -