On the assumption that "praxis" should and could be, but is not yet a meaningful working concept of sociology, the argument is directed to initiating the search for an appropriate meaning of praxis from amongst those meanings existing (implicitly or explicitly) in social/political theories. The question of the meaning(s) of praxis is approached on the basis of the argument that praxis is an all-encompassing concept; i.e., its meaning is inseparable from, and therefore encompassing of, an underlying theoretical structure. The argument implies, therefore, a correct strategy for finding an appropriate praxis for sociology: one which exposes the "constitutive assumptions"—the ontological, epistemological, and axiological components—within which the particular concept is couched. The argument, therefore, challenges the commonly held assumption (in sociology) that praxis is synonymous with Marxist critical/ humanist philosophy. Two normative concepts of praxis-—the alternatives to the scientific Marxist concept which the thesis argues for—are discussed (and "tested" in the substantive context of the social program, newSTART) and are evaluated as being inappropriate concepts to inform a praxis sociology. Arendt's normative concept, however, is deemed adequate as a philosophical concept and does serve as a plausible alternative to praxis as a scientific sociological concept. Habermas's concept of praxis is introduced because it provides a theoretically credible challenge to Arendt's concept and also offers a viable concept for sociology; but because it is (arguably) couched in a "normative theory of efficiency", it is located within a functionalist sociological paradigm, thus undermining the potential of praxis to express its emancipatory content in meaningful social action. The theoretical structure of a Marxist science is taken as the correct starting point for the formation of a praxis sociology because it is the only existing model that can challenge Arendt's philosophical praxis while retaining the potential to express the meaningfulness of praxis. However, because of the determinism inherent in this position, which results in a conflation of teleology with axiology, its potential to express the meaningful content of praxis as human agency is negated. This, however, is only a transient "failure" of Marxist science, and two further theoretical positions are outlined—in the work of Carchedi and Bhaskar—which promise to rectify the shortcomings of the scientific Marxist approach and establish a valid concept of praxis. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, August 2007.

Thèse (Ph.D.)--Université de Montréal, 2000. / "Université de Montréal, (programme en extension à l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi), thèse présentée à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de Philosophiae Doctor (Ph.D.) en théologie pratique" CaQCU Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Apriorism in Economic methodology is known especially as a specific method of Austrian economists whose basic definition established L.v.Mises in his Magnus Opus ¨Human Action¨ [1949]. It is less famous that Englis's Teleology and Mises's Praxeology are grounded on similar philospher principles. Political development after 1948 in Czech Republic has broken possible and deeper interaction between this economics schools. This work will follow this interrelationship. It will describe apriorism of Karel Englis and apriorism of his pupil Jan Loevenstein along with relation to Austrian apriorism, let us say Mises's Praxeology. It will be emphasized especially contributions and challenges witch Czech apriorism should contribute to apriorism in economics.

Partindo do princípio de que as concepções de tradução dependam do modo como se concebe a linguagem, e de que a dinâmica histórica das teorias sobre tradução corresponda à alternância sucessiva entre propostas universalistas e relativistas, revê-se o momento de ingresso do tema na pesquisa acadêmica, época de domínio do universalismo, tipificado pela abordagem estruturalista. Mostra-se como as limitações próprias a essa abordagem levam ao abandono do universalismo em prol de um pensamento relativista radical que acaba também não dando conta do objeto. Nesse contexto, os estudos da tradução, enquanto tendência específica da pesquisa na área, aparecem como solução conciliatória, e ganham força como a abordagem mais próxima de descrever a experiência prática com o objeto. Faltam-lhe, todavia, aprofundar seus fundamentos teóricos, o que pode ser alcançado mediante o contato com a pragmática de Wittgenstein e a praxiologia de Bourdieu. As noções desenvolvidas por esses dois pensadores abrem espaço e contribuem para o desenvolvimento de uma teoria voltada para a prática, favorecendo a compreensão da tradução como o trabalho do tradutor. / Assuming that translation concepts depend upon the way language is conceived, and also that the history of translation theories alternates between universalists and relativists points of view, this work reviews the moment when translation theory is appropriated by academic research, a time in which the spread and supremacy of Universalism is represented by the dominant structuralist approach. The inner limitations of that approach imply however the abandon of Universalists ideas and the adoption of the opposite perspective, that of an extreme Relativism, which due exactly to its extremism limits itself to criticizing the presuppositions of the former Universalist paradigm. In that context, Translation Studies, considered a specific approach to the theme, arise as a conciliatory solution and seem to be closer to the translation praxis in describing its object. But Translation Studies also lack a deeper theoretical background and that can be achieved, supposedly, through an interdisciplinary contact with Wittgensteins pragmatics and Bourdieus praxeology. The chief notions elaborated by these two scholars may help the development of a theory that defines translation as the translators work.

Freie Univ., Diplomarb.--Berlin, 2004.

Thèse (M.th.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1995. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Diplomarbeit--Freie Universität, Berlin, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-127).

In recent years, entrepreneurship studies scholars have begun studying entrepreneurship from a process-oriented philosophy and with an interest in the prosaic, everyday practices of entrepreneurs. In keeping with these "new movement" approaches, I have tried to "catch" entrepreneurship as it is happening within the field of private investigations. An in-depth, two-year field study of private investigators engaged in the entwined practices of investigating and entrepreneuring was conducted. Methodologically, I shadowed five private investigators and interviewed an additional 25. Because shadowing is an emergent methodology, an in-depth discussion of conducting and writing shadowing research is provided. As noted in this discussion, it is important that writing remain primarily descriptive yet linked to dominant contemporary discourses. Consequently, an overview of dominant narrative themes in popular and academic discourses about private investigating and entrepreneurship are included. Based on the framework of this methodology, dominant narrative themes, and field notes, various culturally-situated accounts of private investigator practices are offered. The findings of this research project suggest that private investigators use various rhetorical and practical strategies to successfully and simultaneously complete investigative and business-related tasks, such as "planting suspicions," using gender and race to strategically position themselves in relation to others in opportunistic ways, and incorporating contemporary technology into their work routines. Drawing on actor-network-theory, I argue that opportunities are enacted through a series of taken-for-granted and everyday interactions among subjects and objects. This research privileges descriptive accounts over theory-building. However, the descriptive accounts of the practices of subjects and objects suggest pragmatic solutions for private investigators to create and manage entrepreneurial opportunities. For example, I propose that private investigators should collectively engage in practices that further professionalize their field. Such professionalizing activities would include, among other things, engaging in knowledge accumulation through academic and professional research activities and professional association public relations campaigns. Insights are also provided regarding the role of rhetoric and technology in opportunity creation and destruction. Readers interested in organization communication and theory will find many of the descriptions to be empirically rich examples of ethno-methods used by actors in highly institutionalized contexts. Similarly, these scholars may also find the descriptions to validate recent arguments regarding organizing as "hybridized actions" (or action nets) occurring in multiple spaces, places, and times. The examples herein demonstrate the usefulness of shadowing as an approach to understanding organizing practices, especially in fields where actors are always "on the move." Readers interested in private investigating will find many of the examples rich in techniques that will enhance profitability. Finally, readers interested in entrepreneurship studies will undoubtedly find many novel potential research projects that are embedded in the various thick descriptions throughout the document.

Partindo do princípio de que as concepções de tradução dependam do modo como se concebe a linguagem, e de que a dinâmica histórica das teorias sobre tradução corresponda à alternância sucessiva entre propostas universalistas e relativistas, revê-se o momento de ingresso do tema na pesquisa acadêmica, época de domínio do universalismo, tipificado pela abordagem estruturalista. Mostra-se como as limitações próprias a essa abordagem levam ao abandono do universalismo em prol de um pensamento relativista radical que acaba também não dando conta do objeto. Nesse contexto, os estudos da tradução, enquanto tendência específica da pesquisa na área, aparecem como solução conciliatória, e ganham força como a abordagem mais próxima de descrever a experiência prática com o objeto. Faltam-lhe, todavia, aprofundar seus fundamentos teóricos, o que pode ser alcançado mediante o contato com a pragmática de Wittgenstein e a praxiologia de Bourdieu. As noções desenvolvidas por esses dois pensadores abrem espaço e contribuem para o desenvolvimento de uma teoria voltada para a prática, favorecendo a compreensão da tradução como o trabalho do tradutor. / Assuming that translation concepts depend upon the way language is conceived, and also that the history of translation theories alternates between universalists and relativists points of view, this work reviews the moment when translation theory is appropriated by academic research, a time in which the spread and supremacy of Universalism is represented by the dominant structuralist approach. The inner limitations of that approach imply however the abandon of Universalists ideas and the adoption of the opposite perspective, that of an extreme Relativism, which due exactly to its extremism limits itself to criticizing the presuppositions of the former Universalist paradigm. In that context, Translation Studies, considered a specific approach to the theme, arise as a conciliatory solution and seem to be closer to the translation praxis in describing its object. But Translation Studies also lack a deeper theoretical background and that can be achieved, supposedly, through an interdisciplinary contact with Wittgensteins pragmatics and Bourdieus praxeology. The chief notions elaborated by these two scholars may help the development of a theory that defines translation as the translators work.