In his monograph on the work of the eminent sociologist, Emile Durkheim, Professor Crittenden has raised once again the issue of the relativity of knowledge. 1 I have chosen in my reply not to enter into 'commentary combat' with Crittenden over his interpretation of Durkheim but to seek instead a new perspective on the problem of relativism. I, therefore, raise the question, "Can we pursue knowledge rationally without being authoritarian?" I think we can.
Before my discussion~ let me overview Crittenden's effort in an attempt to reconstruct simply the problem which interests him and his thought about it. Crittenden's interest appears to: reside in the argument of several reconstructivist theorists, e.g., Clarke, Mannheim, Brameld, and Raup, who justify their viewpoint by espousing some form of the doctrine of the sociology of knowledge. The doctrine of the sociology of knowledge is the notion that knowledge is culture-bound. Eager to suggest to these theorists and their followers the inconsistency of their position, he uses the theories of Emile Durkheim to point out, indirectly, that he who advoeates a sociology .of knowledge not only must suffer the evil consequence of this doctrine, namely, relativism, but seems condemned to impotence in the task of reshaping the social .order through schooling. The major thrust of Crittenden's argument is the consistency he finds in Durkheimean lore which concludes that reconstruction through schooling is virtually impossible. Crittenden, therefore, is warning reconstructivists that an appeal to the doctrine of the sociology of knowledge does not assist them, as they think, but injures * The major influences on this paper are the studies of Sir Karl R. Popper, in methodology and social philosophy, and the studies of W. W. Bartley, in the theory of rationality. Professor Merle L. Borrowman, Mr. Ross Norris, and Miss Glorianne Leck provided many helpful comments and criticisms on an earlier draft. Professor Joseph Agassi was especially helpful during a few discussions on the problems of this paper.