Chinese Journal of Sociology
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Xie Lizhong
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Abstract: The analytic approach in positivism to modernization reduces this concept to a given “objective reality” that is independent of the subjective consciousness of the individual members in society. The approach in Hermeneutism (or phenomenology) views modernization as a “subjective reality” construed by the individuals in society out of their subjective consciousness. Different from both, pluralistic discourse analysts regard modernization as a “discourse reality,” an outcome via specific strategies by the members in society under the constraints and guidance of a specific discourse system. Correspondingly, positivistic sociologists always focus on searching for the “objective laws” that govern the course of modernization; hermeneutic sociologists always try to investigate individuals’ behaviors and their subjective consciousness that enables such behaviors; pluralistic discourse analysts advocate examining the discourse strategies and the discourse system (discourse regulations) behind such discourse strategies during the process of modernization and societal changes.
Key words: hermeneutic (phenomenological) approach to modernization, modernization studies, pluralistic discourse approach to modernization, positivistic approach to modernization
Xie Lizhong. Positivism, Hermeneutism and Discourse: Studying Modernization as an Example[J]. Chinese Journal of Sociology.
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https://www.society.shu.edu.cn/EN/Y2008/V28/I3/106