The Place of Theory in Archival Practice
Abstract
In this essay I discuss the proper place of theory among the activities ofarchivists. I argue for a position between two apparent opposites: on the one hand, a position that denies that there is or should be any significant place for theory in the study and practice of archivists, and on the other, the claim that theory is, and ought to be, of central concern to archivists, and that archival theory can be scientific. While I agree that archival theory is important, indeed unavoidable, I criticize the notion of an archival science. The advocates of archival science and those who deny any significantplace for theory share a (largely) positivist conception of science. I therefore advance my criticism of archival science through an excursus into the philosophy of science. In the last twenty to thirty years philosophers and historians of science have discredited the positivist idea of science, according to which science is beyond and above historical, social, cultural, and political contexts. A “softer” view of science has replaced the positivist notion of science. When the positivist conception of science is abandoned, new forms of archival theory emerge. The last section provides some suggestions abouthow this form of theory may look.
RÉSUMÉ
Dans cet essai, je discute de la place judicieuse de la théorie parmi les activités des archivistes. Ma position s’articule entre deux points de vue apparemment opposés: d’une part, la négation de l’importance de la théorie dans l’étude et la pratique des archivistes et, de l’autre, l’affirmation que la théorie est, et devrait être, au cœur des préoccupations des archivistes et selon laquelle l’archivistique peut être scientifique. Bien que je conçoive que la théorie archivistique soit importante, en soi inévitable, je critique la notion d’une science de l’archivistique. Les tenants de la science archivistique et ceux qui s’opposent à une place importante pour la théorie partagent (largement) une même conception positiviste de la science. Ainsi, je propose ma critique de la science archivistique par un recours à la philosophie de la science. Au cours des vingt dernières années, philosophes et historiens de la science ont discréditéla notion positiviste de science selon laquelle elle transcenderait les contextes historiques, sociaux, culturels et politiques. Un point de vue plus « nuancé » a remplacé cette conception positiviste de la science. Ce mouvement permet l’apparition de nouvelles formes de théories archivistiques. La dernière partie de l’article fait quelques suggestions quant à l’allure que peut prendre cette forme de théorie.
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