A Realist Philosophy of Social Science

Explanation and Understanding

AvPeter T. Manicas

Häftad, Engelska, 2006

385 kr

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Beskrivning

This introduction to the philosophy of social science provides an original conception of the task and nature of social inquiry. Peter Manicas discusses the role of causality seen in the physical sciences and offers a reassessment of the problem of explanation from a realist perspective. He argues that the fundamental goal of theory in both the natural and social sciences is not, contrary to widespread opinion, prediction and control, or the explanation of events (including behaviour). Instead, theory aims to provide an understanding of the processes which, together, produce the contingent outcomes of experience. Offering a host of concrete illustrations and examples of critical ideas and issues, this accessible book will be of interest to students of the philosophy of social science, and social scientists from a range of disciplines.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2006-06-15
Mått:152 x 229 x 18 mm
Vikt:389 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:236
Förlag:Cambridge University Press
ISBN:9780521678582

Utforska kategorier

Sociologi inom Samhälle och politik

Mer om författaren

Professor Peter T. Manicas is a Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa.

Recensioner i media

'With this book Manicas has filled a major need in the philosophy of social science, which has not given adequate critical attention to the problem of explanation. His argument that understanding not explanation as such is the primary goal of the sciences entails a wider assessment of the philosophy of the social sciences. This is an original contribution as well as being an important and very convincing statement of realism. It is likely to become a key work in the field.' Gerard Delanty, Professor of Sociology, University of Liverpool

Innehållsförteckning

1. Explanation and understanding; 2. Theory, experiment and the metaphysics of Laplace; 3. Explanation and understanding in the social sciences; 4. Agents and generative social mechanisms; 5. Social science and history; 6. Markets as social mechanisms.