Some Second Thoughts about Theory in the Social Sciences

When Professor Papageorgiou submitted his brief essay in the spring of 1982 (“Some Thoughts about Theory in the Social Sciences, GA [October 1982], pp. 340-46), I decided to use it as a vehicle to provoke a discussion of the issues he raised. I invited a number of scholars to submit brief and informal statements on these issues and these responses are assembled in the following pages. The variety of styles and contents of the submissions reflects the diversity that is contemporary human geography. I hope that this forum enhances our appreciation of the points-of-view of others. Convergence towards a single widely accepted epistemological framework appears to be further away than ever.     

Some Thoughts about Standardized Teaching Evaluations

Abstract

Mark Blitz begins his book Plato’s Political Philosophy by making a strong case for Plato’s continuing relevance to us. The book’s three parts are centered on three dialogues of special importance to Blitz’s topic: the Laws, the Republic, and the Statesman. Blitz also pulls into his discussion other dialogues that illuminate the teachings of these three central ones. Blitz’s analyses of the dialogues are illuminating. He lays out the dialogues’ intellectual pathways and gives us an important sense of their meaning. In addition to his examination of particular dialogues, Blitz also gives us rich discussions of four key concepts that underlie and are found throughout Plato’s works: nature, wonder, perplexity, and laughter. The book lacks a deeper discussion of the view that we should be guided by nature in determining our ends. Also missing is a better appreciation of both the challenge posed to philosophy by piety, and the attraction of institutions of modern republics. And we could have a better understanding of the limits of a rational politics in the Statesman. Plato has difficulty finding a place for the philosopher in the city, and this could come through more clearly in Blitz’s account. But these shortcomings are minor when set against the book’s strengths. Its synoptic analyses can help guide those new to Plato. But there is also much here for mature scholars in Blitz’s detailed and careful exploration of Plato’s more important concepts and arguments.     

对博物馆建设中某些问题的认识

近几年来,河北省新建博物馆、纪念馆22座,各级各类博物馆、纪念馆总数达到60座,另 有13座博物馆、纪念馆革新了陈列。自国家文物局1997年开展全国“十大精品陈列”评选 以 来,河北省连续三年入选全国“十大精品陈列”,这些都是了不起的成就。可以预言, 进入 新千年,我们的博物馆、纪念馆事业肯定会有更大的发展。为此,不揣浅陋,就发展 中可能 遇到的某些具体问题谈一点粗浅的看法,供同行们参考。一、博物馆在数量上还有较大的发展空间。它主要表现在四个方面：1、文物开放单位过渡、升级到博物馆。文物保护单位的抢险加固、维修和…     

对河北全省博物馆建设发展的几点思考

2010年,河北省文物局对全省博物馆建设发展的情况进行了专题调研,根据调研结果,本文对全省博物馆建设的基本情况和存在的问题进行了分析,并提出了下一步的发展目标。     

对中国谷物酿酒起源问题的若干思考

中国谷物酿酒的起源问题虽然是个较小的学术课题,长期以来却为不少学饶有兴味地加以研究。不仅考古学界的学关心它,历史学界、农史学界乃至化学界都有学参与其中,并发表了一系列论。这些学关注这一问题的缘由,并非仅仅在于争执一个     

On the Road to Colonus: Or Theory and Perversity in the Social Sciences

It is late afternoon, and two figures are seen walking slowly along a path that leads through laurel, olives, and vines towards white Colonus, earth's loveliest, where the nightingales liquid notes most haunt the darkness of green glades. They are deep in conversation, yet move with steady, purposeful strides towards an inn that cools its crisp Demesticha in the flowing waters of a spring.     

关于中共党史学理论的若干问题

关于中共党史学理论和方法的研究一直比较薄弱,而且其中若干问题尚存有争议。关于中共党史学的理论方法论体系、学科性质与特点、学科的研究对象与研究内容、党史的体系与历史分期等问题,有进一步探讨、研究和厘清的必要。     

关于《“扬州八怪”批判》的思考

由徐建融《扬州八怪批判》引发的争论,是近20年扬州八怪研究中最值得引起重视的争论。归纳起来,这些争论和分歧主要集中在扬州八怪成员的人品、画品、绘画商品化、师承、在中国绘画史上的地位几方面。     

Electronic Information Management in the Social Sciences

Abstract

The use of the computer and its capabilities in the social sciences – psychology, sociology, economics, political science and history – are here discussed. It is suggested that the computer is essential to research in these disciplines and examples are given where certain research projects could not be undertaken without the capabilities of the computer. Three uses which are common to all the social science are described. First, there is a discussion of several computer-based statistical packages which have been specifically developed for the social sciences. Next, there is a presentation of the development of models and particularly casual modeling. Finally, computer-based bibliographic methods and capabilitie are described. More specific applications are: on-line control psychological experiments stimulus presentation, data acquisition, the simulation of psychological functions and the computer a a surrogate clinician; also the application of information-processing model in cognitive psychology. In sociology, the computer is used in social science surveys and particularly in the recent development of computer-based telephone survey techniques. In economics, there is a discussion of econometric modeling and particularly of Project LINK, a worldwide economic model. Finally, a number of examples are given of the use of computers in political science and historical research. It is concluded that the computer is a basic tool in social science research.     

有关元中都城墙的几点思考

本文结合考古勘察和文献记载,论述了元中都城墙及其附属建筑的建设情况。元中都虽然在《元史》中也有“行宫”之称,但采用三套城墙,是按都城规格设计的。其宫城城墙及附属建筑、皇城城墙的主体都基本完成,外城城墙开始动工但尚未完成。文中还论及了角楼的相关问题,分析了宫城角楼、域门、排水涵洞等附属建筑的形制及其与大都的继承关系。     

Navigating The Social Sciences: A Theory For The Meta–History Of Emotions

Books reviewed in this article:
William M. Reddy, The Navigation Of Feeling: A Framework For The History Of Emotions.     

The Policy Sciences of Social Media

Twitter, Facebook, and other social media are increasingly touted as platforms not merely for networks of friends and for private diversion, but as vehicles that allow ordinary people to enter and influence the many arenas of public life. On the surface, the disparate and shapeless population of “i‐reporters,” policy “tweeters,” and anonymous news web site “commentators” would appear to challenge the comparatively well‐defined cast of professional diplomats, journalists, and propagandists that Harold D. Lasswell identified as policy‐oriented communicators. However, to illuminate the roles and impacts of social media in politics and policymaking, insights from Lasswell's “science of communication” must be embedded in Lasswell's broader lessons on value assets and outcomes. A closer look at the so‐called democratizing functions of social media in politics reveals the influence of powerful intermediaries who filter and shape electronic communications. Lasswell's insights on the likelihood of increased collaboration among political elites and skilled, “modernizing intellectuals” anticipates contemporary instances of state actors who recruit skilled creators and users of social media—collaborations that may or may not advance experiments in democracy. Lasswell's decision process concept is deployed to discover social media's strengths and weaknesses for the practicing policy scientist.     

美英社会科学研究与国家调控初探

现代国家为调控社会发展而开发利用社会科学,已是应予研究的历史现象。     

Opening Our Eyes: History and the Social Sciences

Historians make practically no use of new intellectual tools from the social sciences that are revolutionizing fields such as law or political science, even though the tools lend themselves to the study of the past. True, they may not suit every historian, but why should we forsake methodological assistance that can broaden our perception of the past and help us decide what is important?     

中国考古学的觉醒与理论革命——关于考古学走向成熟的若干思考

中国考古学走向成熟的重要标志在于三个转变,即:在考古学基本理论方面,存在着从简单地层学向考古层位学转变的过程;在研究方面存在着从长于描述向深度研究转变的例证;在学科的作用方面存在着从补经证史向谱写历史篇章转变的客观事实。     

蝴蝶沟漫记

云南大理下关的蝴蝶泉,在海内外颇有知名度。那里,每到仲夏时节,成千上万只色彩斑谰的蝴蝶,在一泓泉水上翩翩起舞,穿梭往来。有时,还可看到“飞蝶千万,连须钩足,自树巅倒悬而下,及于泉面,缤纷络绎,五色焕然。”这是多么令人梦牵魂绕的所在呵!其实很多人还不知道,在遥远的新疆,也有条蝴蝶沟。其地域之广,山水之秀,草木之茂,蝴蝶之多,比蝴蝶泉有过之而无不及。前不久,作者和几名探险爱好者,就领略了阿尔泰山蝴蝶沟的奇观!     

关于冬天的遐想

丰硕的秋被落叶载走了,只留下一个坦荡荡的世界归属于冬。而冬季于大地太过深刻了,因为这是一段光秃而沉重的季节,“千山鸟飞绝,万径人踪灭”。冬天,就那么沉默着,不动声色地看着凄惨的凋零;听着曾经快乐的鸟儿孤零零地呻吟。冬天无语,肃如哲人。人们习惯把青春看作一种美丽的开始,而把冬看作是一个残酷的结局。然而,你以此定义冬天实在是不全面的,就像以貌取人一样的不足取。其实当我们真情实意地去感觉冬天,思想便会升到一个至高无上的境界。走进冬天,当生命的寒流将美丽的憧憬化为飘渺云烟,你会发现,冻土里还有倔强的种子正在悄然酝酿着…