Towards a dialectical methodology for social inquiry

This thesis is foremost a thoroughgoing critique of the metaphysical assumptions of orthodox Western sociology. The critique extends into the theoretical and methodological consequences upon interpreting reality. Having demonstrated the uselessness of orthodox social inquiry in these dimensions, an experimental methodology and theory are generated using a dialectical metaphysical position as a starting point. Several examples of the writings of socially critical authors were analyzed as part of the project. The main conclusion reached was that there was an affinity between the various metaphysical stances of the authors and those of orthodox sociology. The case was made that this metaphysical affinity was a result of the ability of capitalist social organization to assign to itself a supra-historical character through the process of reification. Finally it was posited that only a dialectical analytical position can provide a perspective which can accurately depict the social relations of capitalism for what they are, a transitory form of social organization destined to pass from the historical stage.Sociology, Department o