英文摘要 |
This paper addresses the affinity between Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of fields and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to appraise subsequent theories of fields. By chi-squared distance, dimension reduction and orthogonal projection, multiple correspondence analysis constructs a“geometric space”to depict the complex relations between variables and individuals. This article argues that objective or structural relations in Bourdieu’s sense rely on dimension reduction and construction, that the chiastic structure of fields come from orthogonal projection, and that structural and functional homology expresses the particular explanation proposed by MCA. Subsequent field theorists, nevertheless, usually ignore the importance of this method, and can thus barely distinguish the interaction and objective relations. John L. Martin and his colleagues, however, are more attentive to the limits of this method. They develop a field theory and an alternative method focusing more on“field effects”. Therefore, this paper suggests taking seriously how Bourdieu’s field theory is inspired by MCA, because we may infer several specific analytical foci and limits from this link. Researchers more sensitive to the affinity between theories and methods may choose or propose more adequately their theory and method. |