Against Michael Crotty's daft view of constructionism

Faculty of Health and Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing Research Methodology and Implementation (HeRMI)

25th January 2017 12:00 - 13:30 HeRMI

Group: Philosophy

Against Michael Crotty's daft view of constructionism

Synopsis: In his widely used textbook, The Foundations of Social Research, Michael Crotty seems sympathetic to constructionism (by contrast with objectivism and subjectivism) at the highest level of his hierarchy of approaches to research. But he also ascribes to it some daft views of reality if meant seriously and literally. I will highlight the daftness of the views and suggest a diagnosis (that he thinks objectivism has to hold a premodern view of the book of nature and, to counter that, that reality inherits the contingency of human concepts). But, more sympathetically, I will try to rationalise the temptation to hold such absurd views and suggest why they are difficult, though not impossible, to avoid. Presenter: Professor Tim Thornton, Professor of Philosophy and Mental Health, UCLan.

All Seminars are free to attend and open to all. Exact venues will be confirmed on registration - All will be held on the UCLan Preston Campus

Please note that Seminars may be visually and audibly recorded - You will be notified on registration if this is the case

For registration and any queries please contact the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing’s Research Support Team Email: rsenquiries@uclan.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1772 895111