John, Christian, Peter, Doug, and others
Yes, science (in its widest sense) and theory are different concepts, but when I stated that museum theory should be equated with museology, I was referring to something else. As theology is not the study of churches, pedagogics not the study of schools, and medical science not the study of hospitals, museology is not (or should not be) the study of museums.
Whether museology is a genuine science (in its widest sense again, as in German 'Wissenschaft'
or not is very much discussed in the early 1980s (see, for example ICOFOM's Museological Working Papers). Actually, I am not very interested in this discussion as such. Very much depends on the definition of science. What does interest me is the dicussion about paradigms.
Yes, I agree that an important task of (theoretical) museology is to clarify concepts (yes, in a dynamic perspective). To clarify this point a few examples from my own country (the Netherlands).
The Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage is preparing a policy document on de-accessioning. For this they needed clear concepts and well defined terms. I analysed many (Dutch) publications on collections management and found about 350 different specialised terms (terms related to documentation and restoration not included!). The embarrassment of riches. Most terms were used very inconsistent and without clear definitions. This was also shown in the analysis of a series of collection plans of major Dutch museums. It is clear that museum practice can profit from museology in this respect.
Recently, the Netherlands Museums Association introduced a museum accreditation system. Again there is a need of clear concepts and good definitions.
Some time ago the Committee for Education of the Netherlands Museums Association wanted to do some comparative analysis of new exhibitions, but did not know how to do this. We do not have a methodology, we do not even have clear concepts and terms.
Finally, the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage (and others) discussed theory, practice and ethics of the conservation & restoration of contemporary art. Not surprisingly, a desparate need of clear concepts and definitions was felt.
So, what good is museology for? It is clear that in my opinion that should not be a question.
Dr Peter van Mensch senior lecturer of theoretical museology and museum ethics course director master's degree programme
Reinwardt Academie Dapperstraat 315 1093 Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
tel. +31 20 6922111 fax +31 20 6926836
website
http://www.xs4all.nl/~rwa
