Discourse Analysis as Social Critique

Abstract

Th is book aims to bridge the gap between normative theories and empiri- cal research. In social science and humanities, we can distinguish roughly three posi- tions towards normativity. Especially in social and political philosophy, we are quite accustomed to scholars who adopt a clear, normative stance, off ering compelling arguments for or against certain social and politi- cal institutions and ethical behaviour. Th e main problem is that we can fi nd several, even contradictory, reasonable positions. Although the debate between these positions can lead to common views, it does not necessarily do so, and often, there remain reasonable but opposing viewpoints. Th is may lead to the suspicion that, ultimately, the scholars engaged in these debates are not following universal norms but a particular worldview.