Diversity and classic sociologists: Theorising the concept of the Traveller by Harriet Martineau

Abstract

Harriet Martineau’s early sociological publication, How to observe Morals and Manners (1838a) has received attention as one of the works that provided a more diverse foundation for the social sciences. This article examines the content of this pre-disciplinary text and explores the value of a simple and valuable concept Martineau offers: the Traveller. It is argued that theorisation of this concept contributes to a more diverse foundation for the history of the social sciences by (1) highlighting the subject of the researcher, (2) rediscovering a set of requisites for research inspired by skilled scepticism and (3) opening up more communicative knowledge production, that is, knowledge that is in line with 21st century dialogical sociology and public understanding of science.