Is it futile to do empirical research?

Abstract

In this paper I discuss Gergen’s social constructionist views on the relation between theory and observation. My conclusions are: 1) Though theories may not be data driven, there are objective (and not just cultural) constraints on how reality can be described. There are, moreover, some beings who dictate their own descriptions. Those beings are persons. 2) Empirical meaning is an essential aspect of any scientific theory. Scientific theories are not tales about imaginary, fictional beings. Scientific theories refer to phenomena in the real world. Such phenomena are not social constructions. 3) Data determine how valid a theory is, and why some theories are better than others.

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