Sept programmes normatifs pour une sociologie critique des inégalités

Any critical sociology assumes a reference to a normative horizon based on the defense of critical positions. This normative horizon remains sometimes, or even often, implicit probably because its explanation seems to infringe the imperative of axiological neutrality which strongly influences social sciences’ epistemology, or at the very least because it drags the works of the sociologist on the field of political theory or activism. This contribution rather seeks to make explicit these normative horizons regarding the case of, central to critical sociology, social inequalities. Seven normative paradigms are thus identified, articulated, and linked to current issues related to justice theories. Their differentiation is built mainly from discussions on anthropological references that serve as critical supports (is autonomy the anthropological ideal of a fair society or is it vulnerability? What is autonomy?), on conceptions of justice (should equality be thought of as equal treatment, resources, opportunities…? Should it be thought of as redistribution or recognition?), on ways to consider the collectivization of responsibility (how far do we undertake the right to difference? Should it include future generations?), and on how to define what a good life is (should we challenge the relationship between autonomy and anticipation? Shouldn’t the aims of equality question firstly our conceptions inherited from the good life that were engulfed by consumption and waste?).