Research as Emancipatory

Abstract

Bhaskar's critical realism offers a novel defense of the idea that by providing explanatory critiques of social formations, social research can emancipate us not merely from intellectual error but also from institutional oppression. Indeed, he argues that by its very nature social analysis involves such critique. The various strands of his argument are examined in detail. It is concluded that, while other elements of critical realism are persuasive, this one is not; it neglects the complex relationship between scientific conclusions about facts and practical evaluations of institutions, policies, and practices.