Knowledge and power: Positivist sociology, situated knowledge, and critical holism within sociological analysis

Through the application of a critical holistic model, this thesis elucidates situated knowledge in everyday life and, more specifically, within sociology as a framework of analysis. Beginning with a critical examination of positivist thought and more precisely positivist sociology, this thesis argues that knowledge production must be understood within a social constructivist context. The application of a social constructivist lens denotes a critical sociology which is reflexive and heavily indebted to notions of social responsibility. This thesis argues for the critical sociologist as an individual rooted in an ethics of humanism, which seeks to not only understanding but the upheaval of dehumanizing structures and ideology. The stakes of this position is demonstrated by the emergence of the Sociological Liberation Movement in the 1960's in response to the abuses of positivist sociology. This thesis contributes to the field of sociology by providing a detailed, historical, critical basis to conceptualizing a critical holistic sociological approach. The thesis unifies existing critical frameworks of analysis in a manner which recognizes interconnectivity within systems of domination. Critical holism is shown as a model of analysis which facilitates alliances of difference and diverse coalition building.