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Blumer’s dilemma: The critic as a tragic figure

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Abstract

Herbert Blumer criticized sociological research for its failure to confront obdurate, empirical reality. However, Blumer conducted little research of his own. An examination of his works on crowds, fashion, and social problems reveals some of the same problems he found in others’ works. Blumer illustrates how critics risk becoming tragic figures, wedded to theoretical principles that cannot be put into practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Delaware, USA

    Joel Best (professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice)

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  1. Joel Best
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Additional information

Thanks to Irwin Deutscher, John Lofland, Kathleen Lowney, David Maines, and Robert Prus for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper.

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Best, J. Blumer’s dilemma: The critic as a tragic figure. Am Soc 37, 5–14 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-006-1019-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-006-1019-3

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