ISBN : 9780199645091
This is a much-needed new introduction to a field that has been transformed in recent years by exciting new subjects, ideas, and methods. It is designed both for students with central interests in philosophy and those planning to concentrate on the social sciences, and it presupposes no particular background in either domain. From the wide range of topics at the forefront of debate in philosophy of social science, the editors have chosen those which are representative of the most important and interesting contemporary work. A team of distinguished experts explore key aspects of the field such as social ontology (what are the things that social science studies?), objectivity, formal methods, measurement, and causal inference. Also included are chapters focused on notable subjects of social science research, such as well-being and climate change. Philosophy of Social Science provides a clear, accessible, and up-to-date guide to this fascinating field.
Introduction
PART I. CURRENT DEBATES
1. Well-being
2. Climate change
3. Evidence-based policy
4. Community-based collaborative archaeology
PART II. ONTOLOGICAL ISSUES
5. Social ontology
6. Individuals or population?
PART III. QUESTIONS ABOUT OBJECTIVITY
7. Scientific objectivity
8. Feminist standpoint theory
9. Values in social science
PART IV. USING FORMAL MODELS
10. Choice models
11. Norms, conventions, and the power of expectations
PART V. METHODOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
12. Interdisciplinarity in action
13. Social epistemology in practice
PART VI. RESEARCH METHODS
14. Measurement
15. Case studies
16. Causal inference