The Social Sciences in the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences in the First Two Decades of Its Existence
The Social Sciences in the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences in the First Two Decades of Its Existence

Summary/Abstract: This essay-like study primarily explores the position of the social sciences within the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences (Československá akademie věd, ČSAV) during the first two decades of its existence. It emphasises especially the gradual shift from its accent on sciences which could be used in political or national propaganda, such as archaeology, philosophy or ethnography, to sciences as a tool for the expert control of society, such as sociology, political science and psychology. Even though especially during František Šorm’s chairmanship (1962–1969) efforts were being made to squeeze the social sciences out from the ČSAV and thus deprive them of the benefits of development in a privileged institution, they were able to defend their position. The dispute was not only over the degree of exactness but also over the compatibility between the key working methods and the ČSAV’s mode of operation.

• Details
• Contents