Sociology between Art Fiction and Scientific Knowledge

Abstract

The paper discusses the issues of preservation of the scientific status of sociology in the conditions when the system of sociological knowledge is invaded by practices and techniques specific to art. The principle of esthetic neutrality for distinguishing scientific and metaphorical types of sociologies is suggested. The author proposes the initial principles to preserve the scientific character of sociological knowledge in the current tendency of mass distribution of surrogate forms of sociological knowledge and metaphorical sociology. The author discusses the possibilities of constructing a well-grounded sociological knowledge through the use of multiple hypothetical-deductive procedure of sociological research.