Posts-tructuralism as alternative social science in Malaysia = Pasca-strukturalisme sebagai sains sosial alternatif di Malaysia
Introduction - In this paper, I consider an interim vision of a social science in Malaysia that departs from traditional, mainstream approaches. A major point of discussion within the realm of social sciences in Malaysia has revolved around the need to develop a social science that considers epis...
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2016
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/54036/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/54036/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/54036/1/Khairil%20Ahmad%20SFSS.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/54036/3/Program%20SFSS%202016.jpg |
| Summary: | Introduction - In this paper, I consider an interim vision of a social science in Malaysia that departs from
traditional, mainstream approaches. A major point of discussion within the realm of social
sciences in Malaysia has revolved around the need to develop a social science that considers
epistemological problems pertaining to the adoption of approaches inspired by Western
scientific influence (Rustam and Norani), and one that is able to provide a robust theoretical
and methodological platform on which social scientific research can rest. In order to meet this
challenge, the present dynamics within the social sciences in Malaysia must be deconstructed.
Overwhelmingly, this dynamics is shaped, on the one hand, by works that invest heavily in
normative presuppositions – either by ways of invoking the virtues of policies and measures
that are pursued by the establishment, or critiquing such policies and measures from
contending perspectives – and on the other, by works that assume neutrality and objectivity in
analysing social phenomena, with a heavy emphasis on empiricism, driven by the positivist
and behaviourist paradigms. And, while there have been efforts to reconsider the fundamental
problems surrounding the applications of those paradigms, they remain at the level of
epistemological critique. |
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