This is the definitive companion to the study of the philosophy of the social sciences. It provides the student with an accessible, comprehensive and philosophically rigorous introduction to all the major philosophical concepts, issues and debates raised by the social sciences. Ideal for use in undergraduate courses, the structure and content of this textbook--the most thorough, clearly argued and up-to-date available--closely reflect the way the philosophy of the social sciences is studied and taught. The text examines key conceptual and methodological questions in the social sciences and illustrates how these shape the practice of research, the interpretation of findings and theory formulation in such disciplines as economics, political science and psychology. The book not only offers lucid and incisive coverage of the philosophy of the social sciences, but also extends the major debates and considers the latest directions in this growing area of philosophical interest. Robert C. Bishop's cogent and rigorous analysis is supplemented by useful student-friendly features, including key examples from philosophical writing; summaries of core debates; sample questions and exercises; and guides for further reading.
This is the definitive companion to the study of the philosophy of the social sciences. It provides the student with an accessible, comprehensive and philosophically rigorous introduction to all the major philosophical concepts, issues and debates raised by the social sciences. Ideal for use in undergraduate courses, the structure and content of this textbook--the most thorough, clearly argued and up-to-date available--closely reflect the way the philosophy of the social sciences is studied and taught. The text examines key conceptual and methodological questions in the social sciences and illustrates how these shape the practice of research, the interpretation of findings and theory formulation in such disciplines as economics, political science and psychology. The book not only offers lucid and incisive coverage of the philosophy of the social sciences, but also extends the major debates and considers the latest directions in this growing area of philosophical interest. Robert C. Bishop's cogent and rigorous analysis is supplemented by useful student-friendly features, including key examples from philosophical writing; summaries of core debates; sample questions and exercises; and guides for further reading.
PART I: Introduction 1. Conceptions of Science 2. Historical and Philosophical Roots of the Social Sciences: Hobbes, Durkheim, Weber 3. Five Modes of Social Inquiry PART II: Ideals, Values and Social Science Practices 4. Cultural Ideals I: Instrumental Reason 5. Cultural Ideals II: Political Liberalism and Liberal Individualism 6. The Myth of Value Neutrality: Disgiused Ideologies in Social Science 7. Methodological Holism and Methodological Individualism 8. Garbage in-Garbage out: Passing Values Off as Scientific Research PART III: Disciplinary Issues 9. Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences 10. Rational and Social Choice Theory 11. Political Science 12. Economics 13. Sociology PART IV: Problems, Debates, Controversies 14. Handling Data 15. Determinism and Freedom 16. Explanation in the Social Sciences 17. Natural Sciences and Social Science 18. Beyond Objectivism and Relativism Bibliography
This accessible, comprehensive introduction is ideal for use on undergraduate courses, examining key conceptual and methodological questions, supplemented by useful pedagogical features.
Dr Robert C. Bishop is John and Madeleine McIntyre Endowed Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at Wheaton College, USA. He has lectured in Philosophy at the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics and Political Science and has published widely in the philosophy of social science, psychology and science.
'Reliable summaries and questions at the end of each chapter.'
Times Higher Education
'...a helpful development towards a better understanding of the
particular nature of the social sciences.' Alfonso Donoso,
University of York, UK for Political Studies Review.
Title mention in Times Higher Education Supplement, February
2008
"Bishop's book is a very well executed textbook, perfectly suited
for undergraduate courses or, if supplemented with additional
material, graduate courses. It is geared towards students all the
way through—i.e., rather than being a textbook written to impress
one's colleagues! There are useful ‘further study' questions at the
end of each chapter that are both perfect for self-study and for
use by instructors (to base tutorials around, for example).
Recommended readings, pitched at the right level, also follow each
chapter...It describes itself as ‘the definitive companion', and I
think it rally is...I shall certainly use Bishop's book for courses
on the philosophy of social sciences." -Dean Rickles, Philosophy in
Review
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