Avoiding generalisations: theory is dead

Is thinking about the world in abstract, generalised terms useful? What is the point of spending years arguing over nuanced and sophisticated understanding of society? Does applied theory exist? To make theory ‘work’ do you have to add too many factors, caveats and contextual consideration to actually be generalised? Does anyone, even elite professors, really understand theory? Is ‘understanding’ theory valuable?

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One Response to Avoiding generalisations: theory is dead

  1. A good point in your PhD, eh 🙂

    My humble take: theory helps us make sense of the world – not just in academia but as humanity. Of course there are all those factors, caveats and contextual considerations – now I try to see them as enriching, always. I did not, for quite a time.

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