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Searching for realism, structure and agency in Actor Network Theory
1Department of Sociology, University of Essex. d.eldervass@ntlworld.com
The British Journal of Sociology
|September 11, 2008
Summary
This paper explores common ground between Actor Network Theory (ANT) and critical realism (CR). While ANT offers valuable insights into social structures, critical realism provides a deeper ontological understanding, benefiting both research traditions.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Philosophy of Science
Background:
- Actor Network Theory (ANT) and critical realism (CR) are often viewed as opposing research paradigms.
- A realist perspective is adopted to investigate potential commonalities between ANT and CR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the philosophical underpinnings of realism, structure, and agency in both ANT and CR.
- To identify areas of mutual learning and critique between the two theoretical frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of core concepts in ANT and CR.
- Examination of ontological differences and similarities.
- Evaluation of the strengths and limitations of each approach.
Main Results:
- Critical realism can learn from ANT's focus on tracing connections in social structures.
- ANT's lack of depth ontology limits its recognition of mechanisms, emergence, and social structure.
- ANT's symmetrical treatment of human and non-human actors, while problematic, serves as a useful provocation.
Conclusions:
- There is significant potential for cross-pollination between ANT and CR.
- ANT could benefit from CR's depth ontology, particularly regarding mechanisms and social structure.
- Realists should consider ANT's emphasis on the dynamic construction of structures and the inclusion of non-human actors.
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