Empirical methods’ real value is the critical motivation they carry

Evidence

The true significance of empirical methods lies in the critical motivation they contain. Empirical social research must not allow this motivation to wither away, nor can it deceive itself in its investigation of social relations. Instead of starting by embellishing for itself a conciliatory picture of social reality with the help of ideological concepts and then contentedly accepting existing conditions, science must produce an awareness of the harshness of what exists . — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 476

Categorization

• DEFINE: Adorno’s positive definition of empirical method: critique of existing conditions rather than description or acceptance.
• DEEPTHINKING: The claim that methodology itself is normatively loaded — empiricism as critical instrument rather than neutral tool — is a durable paradigm claim.