par Philippart, Eric
Référence Computer Networks and ISDN Systems, 14, 2-5, page (271-278)
Publication Publié, 1987
Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : The history of borrowing from natural sciences is a long one in social sciences. Today, paradigms dealing with information and communication (statistical thermodynamics, information theory, cybernetics and the theory of dissipative structures) are very often "used" as a source of inspiration for sociological theories. This contribution is focused on the French-speaking authors belonging to this trend (J. Attali, J. de Rosnay, E. Morin, J. Voge, I. Prigogine, ...). The reasons, the validity and the benefit for social sciences of this practice are investigated. The reasons are manifold ("epistemological imperialism" of the natural sciences, crisis shaking the society, impressive development of the communication sector, ...). The importation is not intrinsically non valid. Any hypothesis can be laid down. The validation depends on the verdict of the confrontation with the reality. The heuristic value of the theories surveyed proves to be generally low. Several characteristics of the problems studied by natural and social sciences remain quite different. There is still ground to support a specific methodology in sociology. © 1988.