Criteria of Social Scientific Knowledge

Social scientists often do not agree on what is a solid contribution to knowledge and what is only the illusory appearance of knowledge. In this work, Terrence E. Cook systematically compares and contrasts the main epistemological families within the social sciences (interpretive, predictive, and praxeological) examining strengths and weaknesses of each outlook. In exceptionally clear language he shows how paradigms of thought are constructed, and reveals the often unreflected presuppositions of each epistemological family. He concludes with a move toward synthesis and a turn to the study of strategy.