O que são as ciências sociais e o que fazem os cientistas sociais? Darcy Ribeiro

Summary

In this insightful critique, the speaker expresses frustration with Brazilian social science, accusing many intellectuals of being disconnected from the country's real issues. They argue that social scientists focus too much on academic theory and foreign ideologies rather than addressing the root causes of Brazil's social and economic struggles. The speaker highlights the importance of making social science relevant and practical, transforming it into a tool for understanding and solving societal problems. They contrast the ineffective academic approach with the more pragmatic, forward-thinking political figures like Tancredo Neves.

Takeaways

• 😀 A scientist's role in society is crucial for explaining the causes of Brazil's historical delay, which is often misunderstood.
• 😀 Brazil's delay isn't due to its youth, as it's actually 100 years older than the United States, contradicting the common belief that being new is the cause of underdevelopment.
• 😀 A social scientist today would reject the old idea that Brazil's delay is due to its racial composition, such as having many Black, mixed-race, and Indigenous people.
• 😀 The true cause of Brazil's underdevelopment lies in the actions of its people, particularly the elites who built a country primarily for themselves and against the poor.
• 😀 Many Brazilian social scientists fail to analyze the current reality and focus instead on theoretical frameworks, such as the works of Marx, without understanding Brazil's specific socio-political context.
• 😀 There is a critique of Brazilian social scientists who are more focused on academic discourse than on analyzing Brazil's reality, particularly in terms of understanding figures like Getúlio Vargas and their impact on national identity.
• 😀 Social scientists are urged to break free from outdated academic models and engage more actively with Brazilian social issues, rather than simply reproducing academic knowledge.
• 😀 The speaker critiques Brazilian politicians and academics for being ineffective in contributing to the social development of the country, contrasting them with figures like Tancredo Neves, who were seen as more pragmatic and connected to reality.
• 😀 There is a belief that Brazilian political figures, particularly those with academic backgrounds, are disconnected from the practical needs of society and are unable to bring about real change.
• 😀 The speaker expresses dissatisfaction with the state of social sciences in Brazil, likening certain academic practices to outdated, irrelevant intellectual traditions that fail to address real-world problems.

Q & A

What is the speaker's view on the role of social scientists in Brazil?

The speaker criticizes Brazilian social scientists for being disconnected from the real issues facing the country. They argue that many social scientists focus on irrelevant academic discourses rather than understanding the actual causes of Brazil's socio-economic challenges.

What does the speaker think about the common belief that Brazil is behind because it is a 'new' country?

The speaker disagrees with the idea that Brazil's delay in development is due to being a 'new' country, pointing out that Brazil is actually 100 years older than the United States and that the reasons for Brazil's issues are deeper than that.

What role does race play in the speaker's analysis of Brazil's societal challenges?

The speaker dismisses the argument that Brazil's issues are due to race, noting that modern science no longer supports the idea that Brazil’s racial composition, such as being predominantly Black, mixed, or Indigenous, is the cause of its social problems.

How does the speaker view the connection between the political and academic elites in Brazil?

The speaker believes that the political and academic elites in Brazil are largely disconnected from the reality of the country. They argue that many Brazilian social scientists, rather than engaging with Brazil’s challenges, focus on abstract academic debates and foreign influences.

What is the speaker's opinion on the work of Brazilian social scientists today?

The speaker expresses disappointment in the work of Brazilian social scientists, calling them 'cavalos de Santos' (Santos' horses), a metaphor for people who speak without truly understanding or addressing the core issues of Brazil. They accuse these scientists of being more focused on theoretical constructs than on practical solutions for Brazil's problems.

What is the speaker's stance on how the academic world contributes to the understanding of Brazil’s historical and current issues?

The speaker criticizes the academic world for its failure to engage with the real issues facing Brazil, specifically its socio-economic challenges, and for being too focused on academic theory and international ideologies that don't address Brazil's unique context.

What does the speaker think about Getúlio Vargas and his role in Brazil’s identity?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding figures like Getúlio Vargas in order to comprehend the formation of Brazil's identity and the socio-political dynamics of the country. They suggest that many social scientists fail to engage with such pivotal historical figures.

How does the speaker contrast contemporary social scientists with past intellectuals?

The speaker compares contemporary social scientists unfavorably to past intellectuals who were well-versed in multiple languages and focused on the deep understanding of the world. They argue that today's intellectuals, like many social scientists, focus on superficial or irrelevant discussions that fail to engage with reality.

What does the speaker mean by saying the intelligence of social scientists has become an 'act of pollution'?

The speaker suggests that the work of some modern social scientists has become disconnected from the true purpose of intellectual inquiry, which should be to understand and transform the world. Instead, they see it as a form of intellectual pollution, where knowledge is used for theoretical debates rather than practical solutions.

What alternative does the speaker propose to the current state of social science in Brazil?

The speaker suggests that Brazil needs social scientists who are engaged with real-world issues, who understand the historical and socio-political realities of Brazil, and who aim to find solutions to break the cycle of stagnation and inequality in the country.