Ralf Dahrendorf’s Understanding of Science and the Position of Sociology in the Sciences

Abstract

Dahrendorf’s understanding of social science is that of a theory-based empiricism. Theoretical considerations are the basis for questions that are formulated as precisely as possible and subjected to empirical testing. This empirical examination can never lead—following Karl Popper—to a (certainly not final) proof of a theory. In this respect, he calls on scientists to critically deal with theories (both those of others and their own) and, accordingly, not to bow to any claims of sovereignty of interpretation; the mere acceptance of a variety of competing scientific approaches is generating the opportunity to determine the most suitable approaches. According to these considerations, he rejects the attempt to develop comprehensive world interpretation approaches (here he contradicts both Marxism and structural functionalism).