Relational Epistemology in the Social Sciences: Pierre Bourdieu’s Epistemological Legacy

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 20, 1 - 18, 30.06.2024

Gürhan Özpolat

https://doi.org/10.25306/skad.1358819

Öz

The distinction between subjectivist and objectivist approaches has persisted as a fundamental dichotomy in sociological theory for many years. Pierre Bourdieu’s epistemological sociology challenges these opposing approaches and aims to overcome the artificial dichotomies that have long plagued the social sciences. In this article, we argue that Bourdieu opens a third epistemological path, effectively ending the conflict between objectivism and subjectivism that has divided the social sciences into two poles. To achieve this, we explore the influence of the French historical epistemological tradition on Bourdieu's sociological production, emphasizing the importance of recognizing this tradition in shaping Bourdieu’s sociological theory. After clarifying the basic epistemological principles that scientifically grounded sociological studies should follow, we delve into Bourdieu’s critique of subjectivism and objectivism. Finally, we emphasize the importance and potential of adopting Bourdieu’s relational epistemology, which he proposes to do away with essentialist thinking.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Epistemology, Objectivism, Subjectivism, Relationalism

Sosyal Bilimlerde İlişkisel Epistemoloji: Pierre Bourdieu’nün Epistemolojik Mirası

Öz

Öznelci ve nesnelci yaklaşımlar arasındaki ayrım, temel bir ikilik olarak sosyolojik teorideki varlığını uzun yıllar sürdürmüştür. Pierre Bourdieu’nün epistemolojik sosyolojisi, birbirine karşıt bu yaklaşımlara meydan okuyarak, sosyal bilimlere uzun süredir musallat olmuş bu yapay ikilikleri aşmaya çalışmaktadır. Bu makalede Bourdieu’nün sosyal bilimleri deyim yerindeyse iki ayrı kutba bölen, nesnelcilik-öznelcilik çatışmasını nihayete erdiren üçüncü bir epistemolojik yol açtığını öne sürüyoruz. Bu doğrultuda, Fransız tarihsel epistemoloji geleneğinin Bourdieu’nün sosyolojik üretimi üzerindeki etkilerini tespit etmeye çalışıyor ve Bourdieu’nün sosyolojik teorisine yön veren temel epistemolojik unsurları anlamanın, Bourdieu’nün sosyal bilimlere aktarmaya çalıştığı bu geleneği tanımayı şart koştuğunu iddia ediyoruz. Bourdieu’den hareketle, bilimsel olarak temellendirilmiş sosyolojik çalışmaların izlemesi gereken temel epistemolojik ilkeleri açıklığa kavuşturduktan sonra, Fransız sosyoloğun öznelcilik ve nesnelcilik eleştirisinin ana hatlarına odaklanıyoruz. Son olarak, yine Bourdieu üzerinden, tözcü düşünceyi bertaraf etmek için ilişkisel bir epistemolojiyi benimsemenin önemine ve potansiyeline dikkat çekiyoruz.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Epistemoloji, Nesnelcilik, Öznelcilik, İlişkiselcilik

Kaynakça

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