Philosophical Foundations of the Social Sciences: Analyzing Controversies in Social ResearchThis book defends the prospects for a science of society. It argues that behind the diverse methods of the natural sciences lies a common core of scientific rationality that the social sciences can and sometimes do achieve. It also argues that good social science must be in part about large-scale social structures and processes and thus that methodological individualism is misguided. These theses are supported by a detailed discussion of actual social research, including theories of agrarian revolution, organizational ecology, social theories of depression, and supply-demand explanations in economics. |
Contents
Functionalism defended | 4 |
Challenges to scientific rationality | 16 |
Causes confirmation and explanation 588 | 58 |
The failures of individualism | 136 |
A science of interpretation? | 191 |
Economics a test case | 222 |
Problems and prospects | 258 |
266 | |
279 | |
Other editions - View all
Philosophical Foundations of the Social Sciences: Analyzing Controversies in ... Harold Kincaid No preview available - 1996 |
Philosophical Foundations of the Social Sciences: Analyzing Controversies in ... Harold Kincaid No preview available - 1995 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract aggregate argue background assumptions basic beliefs biology causal causal explanations causes cell biology ceteris paribus ceteris paribus laws Chapter citing complex conceptual confirmed context correlations cross tests defend describe discussion doubts economics empirical ence evidence example exists in order explanatory fact factors fair tests functional explanations functionalist Hannan and Freeman holist hypothesis identify independent tests individual behavior individualist theories interpretive involve irrationalist kinds Kuhn logic of science macroeconomic macrosociological meaning models multiple multiple realizations natural sciences neo-classical neo-classical economics Nonetheless norms organizational ecology Paige Paige's paradigm persistence philosophy of science physical political positivists possible predictions presuppose problem questions Quine Quine's rational choice theory reasons reduction requires result role scientific practice scientific virtues Section social constructivism social entities social explanations social process social research social sciences social scientists social theory specific standards strategy supervenience supply-and-demand thesis tions traits truth unification variables well-confirmed