On August 25, a discussion of a book ”Social science as sorcery” by Stanislav Andreski took place at the Library of the Gaidar Institute and the Moscow Higher School of Social and Economic Sciences (MHSES).
Irina Dudenkova, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Dean of the MHSES Faculty of social sciences, Ilya Inshakov, Candidate of Political Sciences, Assistant Professor of the MHSES Faculty of Humanities, Stepan Kozlov, MA in Sociology, Lecturer of the MHSES Social sciences Faculty, took part in the discussion.
Stanislav Andreski, Polish-born British sociologist (1919–2007) criticized in his book the state of modern social sciences. The author argues that much of sociological and psychological research has turned into a kind of “academic sorcery”, i.e. the ritual production of pseudo-scientific texts masking banal observations with complex terminology and methodological formalism.
Andreski draws striking parallels between traditional magical practices and contemporary social research, demonstrating how the academic establishment uses obscure jargon and methodological rituals to maintain its status, often without producing really useful knowledge. The author calls for a return to clarity of mindset, precision of presentation, and a truly scientific attitude towards social sciences.
First published in 1972, the book remains a relevant warning against pseudoscience and a reminder that social sciences should strive for a genuine understanding of society, rather than imitation of scientific activity.
The open discussion format of the book allowed experts and the audience to exchange opinions on the work by Stanislav Andreski.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)