The Idea of a Social Science and Its Relation to PhilosophyThe problems dealt with in The Idea of a Social Science are philosophical. It is an attempt to place the social science, considered as a single group, on the intellectual map, with special attention to the relations of the discipline to philosophy on the one hand and the natural sciences on the other. The author holds that the relation between the social sciences and philosophy is commonly misunderstood because of certain fashionable misconceptions about the nature of philosophy, and because of an incorrect assessment of the significance of some of Wittgenstein's contributions. He discusses the influence of the natural sciences on our conception of the social sciences and examines some of the most influential ideas of J.S. Mill, Pareto and Max Weber. |
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actions activity apply argument belong causal Chapter Collingwood connection consider context course criteria discussion elucidation empirical enquiry epistemology Ethology example experience experimental explanation expression fact following a rule formulate Gilbert Ryle historical human behaviour human society Hume Hume’s ideas important instance intelligible interpretation investigation involves kind language learning logical Max Weber meaning meaningful behaviour methodological individualism Mill Mill’s mistake mode of behaviour modes of social moral Morris Ginsberg motive Mount Everest natural science Newcomb non-logical notion Oakeshott objects observation one’s ostensive definition Pareto particular Peter Winch phenomena philosopher’s Philosophical Investigations philosophy of science possible predict presupposes priori problems propositions question reality reason religion Rush Rhees scientific scientist Section sense to say Simone Weil simply situation social relations social sciences social studies sociology someone sort speak statement Strawson suppose theories things true underlabourer conception understanding Verfremdungseffekt Weber Wittgenstein word