Making Social Science Matter: Why Social Inquiry Fails and How it Can Succeed AgainMaking Social Science Matter presents an exciting new approach to the social and behavioral sciences including theoretical argument, methodological guidelines, and examples of practical application. Why has social science failed in attempts to emulate natural science and produce normal theory? Bent Flyvbjerg argues that the strength of social sciences lies in its rich, reflexive analysis of values and power, essential to the social and economic development of any society. Richly informed, powerfully argued, and clearly written, this book opens up a new future for the social sciences. Its empowering message will make it required reading for students and academics across the social and behavioral sciences. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - thcson - LibraryThingPretty interesting outline of the deficiencies of modern social science and some suggestions for remedies. Strangely, the book starts off with a long-winded account of human learning which seems to be ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - mkjones - LibraryThingThe author argues that social science (as far as our current understanding goes) is conceptually different than the natural sciences. The social sciences are more idiographic (subjective ... Read full review
Contents
| 1 | |
Rationality body and intuition in human learning | 9 |
Is theory possible in social science? | 25 |
Context counts | 38 |
Values in social and political inquiry | 53 |
The power of example | 66 |
The significance of conflict and power to social science | 88 |
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Common terms and phrases
Aalborg Project according to Foucault action analysis analytical Anthony Giddens argument Aristotle Aristotle's become central chapter Chicago communicative rationality concrete constitutes context context-dependent critical critique democracy democratic discourse ethics domination Dreyfus and Dreyfus Dreyfus model emphasis episteme example exist experience fact Flyvbjerg focus Friedrich Nietzsche Geertz Genealogy goal Habermas Habermas's hermeneutic Hubert Dreyfus human activity human learning Ibid ideal important institutions intellectual virtues interpretation interview intuition knowledge learning process Machiavelli means method methodological Michel Foucault modern moral narrative natural sciences objects Paul Rabinow phenomena philosophy phronesis phronetic research phronetic social science Pierre Bourdieu planning point of departure political science possible power relations practical praxis problem public sphere question Ragin rationality and power relativism Richard Rorty rules says Foucault Science Wars scientific situation skills social and political Social Theory society Sociology Socrates structure Stuart Dreyfus study of human techne theoretical thinking tion truth understanding validity York
Bibliographic information
| Title | Making Social Science Matter: Why Social Inquiry Fails and How it Can Succeed Again |
| Author | Bent Flyvbjerg |
| Translated by | Steven Sampson |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 2001 |
| ISBN | 1139429922, 9781139429924 |
| Length | 204 pages |
| Subjects | › › Social Science / Research Social Science / Sociology / General |
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