Szociológiai paradigmák és a biográfiakutatás

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a diversity of parallel and competing scientific paradigms in social sciences, hen-ce in sociology too. Each of these paradigms has its own distinct ontology, epistemology and a consciousness of methodology. Owing to their parallel existence, there is not only an emphasis on the differences but also a perceivable convergence of these paradigms. Without a dissolution of paradigms, there is a noticeable readiness to compromise within qualitative sociology, and within biographical research. As a first step, this study undertakes to give a brief overview of some “basic” paradigms (positivism, postpositivism, critical theories, constructivism) which influence social sciences, sociology and biographies. Next, it will describe a debate of biography researchers on paradigms where there does not “appear” to have been any rapprochement. Yet, something did happen. In the light of the debate, a need for consensus among different paradigms has arisen in biographical research. The author of this study aims to draw attention to this ambivalent situation where one can witness a competition between paradigms as well as their convergence.