Smith, C. (2013) Adam Ferguson and ethnocentrism in the science of man. History of the Human Sciences, 26(1), pp. 52-67. (doi: 10.1177/0952695112467027)
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Abstract
The Scottish moral philosopher Adam Ferguson (1723–1816) is recognized as one of the founding fathers of sociology and social science more generally. This article examines his early ruminations on what has come to be seen as one of the most pressing methodological concerns for social science: the problem of ethnocentrism. The article explores Ferguson’s attempts to deal with this problem and his attempt to plot the relationship between empirical research, theory formation and normative moral judgement. It argues that Ferguson was well aware of the danger of cultural bias and that his understanding of moral science is marked by a concern that empirical and normative judgements are freed from the danger of bias.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Smith, Professor Craig |
| Authors: | Smith, C. |
| College/School: | College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences |
| Journal Name: | History of the Human Sciences |
| Publisher: | Sage Publications Ltd. |
| ISSN: | 0952-6951 |
| Published Online: | 10 December 2012 |
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