The Return of the Subject? The Methodology of Pierre Bourdieu

Abstract

While Pierre Bourdieu is clearly one of the most important living sociologists, there are problems with his theory of practice, his methodology, and his conception of science. In an attempt to overcome the subjectivist/objectivist divide, Bourdieu has developed his theory of human practice. This theory, while seen as an advance by many, interacts with Bourdieu's methodology to produce a sociology plagued by tautologies, contradictions, and a positivistic view of social science.