The Practical Import Of Political Inquiry (political Philosophy And Public Purpose)
by Brian Caterino /
2016 / English / PDF
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This book examines a basic problem in critical approaches to
political and social inquiry: in what way is social inquiry
animated by a practical intent? This practical intent is not
external to inquiry as an add-on or a choice by the inquirer, but
is inherent to the process of inquiry. The practical intent in
inquiry derives from the connection between social inquiry and the
participant’s perspective. The social inquirer, in order to grasp
the sense of those who are the subject of inquiry, has to adopt the
perspective of the participant in the social world. Caterino
opposes the view that research is an autonomous activity distinct
from or superior to a participant’s perspective. He argues that
since the inquirer is on the same level as the participant, all
inquiry should be considered mutual critique in which those who are
addressed by inquiry have an equal right and an equal capacity to
criticize addressors.
This book examines a basic problem in critical approaches to
political and social inquiry: in what way is social inquiry
animated by a practical intent? This practical intent is not
external to inquiry as an add-on or a choice by the inquirer, but
is inherent to the process of inquiry. The practical intent in
inquiry derives from the connection between social inquiry and the
participant’s perspective. The social inquirer, in order to grasp
the sense of those who are the subject of inquiry, has to adopt the
perspective of the participant in the social world. Caterino
opposes the view that research is an autonomous activity distinct
from or superior to a participant’s perspective. He argues that
since the inquirer is on the same level as the participant, all
inquiry should be considered mutual critique in which those who are
addressed by inquiry have an equal right and an equal capacity to
criticize addressors.