What is Progress in Realism? An Issue Illustrated Using Norm Circles

Abstract

In the following essay I use an extended commentary on Dave Elder-Vass’s The Reality of Social Construction to explore the issue of what progress in realism means. I set out and critique the concept of the norm circle in order to consider how an argument is developed as realist social theory and what limits that might have in terms of the recognized realist concept of adequacy. Specifically, I address the way realist social theory can become restricted to an internal exploration of realism whilst issues of real world relevance are deferred.

Keywords:

• norm circles
• social construction
• culture