Karl Popper and the Social Sciences

William A. Gorton

Description

This is the first book-length exploration of Karl Popper's often-neglected contributions to the philosophy of social science. William A. Gorton situates Popper's ideas on social inquiry within the broader framework of his thought, including his philosophy of natural science, his ontological theories, and his political thought. Gorton places special attention on Popper's theory of situational analysis and how it aims to heighten our understanding of the social world by untangling the complex web of human interaction that produces unintended—and often unwanted—social phenomena. Situational analysis, Gorton contends, involves a significant departure from the method of the natural sciences, despite Popper's plea for the unity of scientific method. Gorton also addresses some common misconceptions concerning Popper's stance toward economics and Marxism, making the provocative claim that contemporary analytical Marxism provides the best current example of Popperian social science put into practice.

Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction

1. Popperian Situational Analysis

Building Models
Against Psychologism and Conspiracy Theories
Methodological Collectivism
Summary

2. Metaphysics, Realism, and Situational Analysis

The Vienna Circle’s Positivism
Verificationism, Empiricism, and Metaphysics
Popper’s Metaphysical and Scientific Realism
Realism, World 3, and Social Inquiry
Summary

3. Social Laws, the Unity of Scientific Method, and Situational Analysis

Causation, Covering Laws, and Realism
The Unity of Scientific Method
Falsification and Situational Analysis
Summary

4. Situational Analysis and Economic Theory

Rationality and Economic Theory
Situational Analysis and Economic Theory
Explaining Voter Turnout: Rational Choice versus Situational Analysis
Untangling Complex Patterns of Interaction
Summary

5. Popper’s Debt to Marx

Popper’s Critique of Marx
Popper’s Debt to Marx
Popper and the Analytical Marxists
Summary

6. The Shortcomings of Situational Analysis

The Limited Range of Situational Analysis
Irrationality and Situational Analysis
Elster’s Model of Revolutions
Summary

Conclusion
Notes
References
Index

Sujets

• Philosophy

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791482216
• Langue: English

Extrait

karl and the POPPER

SOCIAL SCIENCES

William A. Gorton

K A R L P O P P E R a n d t h e S O C I A L S C I E N C E S

SUNY series in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences

Lenore Langsdorf,editor

W I L L I A M A . G O R T O N

KARL POPPER and the SOCIAL SCIENCES

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS

Published by State University of New York Press Albany

© 2006 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press 194 Washington Avenue, Suite 305, Albany, NY 12210-2384

Production, Laurie Searl Marketing, Michael Campochiaro

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gorton, William A., 1966– Karl Popper and the social sciences / William A. Gorton. p. cm. -- (SUNY series in the philosophy of the social sciences) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-10: 0-7914-6661-2 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-7914-6662-0 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Popper, Karl Raimund, Sir, 1902– 2. Social sciences--Methodology. 3. Social sciences--Philosophy. 4. Political science. 5. Economics. I. Title. II. Series. H61.G593 2006 300'.92--dc22 2005007691 ISBN-13: 978-0-7914-6661-2 (alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978-0-7914-6662-9 (pbk. : alk. paper)

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For my mother and my father

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Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

Contents

Chapter One Popperian Situational Analysis Building Models Against Psychologism and Conspiracy Theories Methodological Individualism Summary

Chapter Two Metaphysics, Realism, and Situational Analysis The Vienna Circle’s Positivism Verificationism, Empiricism, and Metaphysics Popper’s Metaphysical and Scientific Realism Realism, World 3, and Social Inquiry Summary

Chapter Three Social Laws, the Unity of Scientific Method, and Situational Analysis

Causation, Covering Laws, and Realism The Unity of Scientific Method Falsification and Situational Analysis Summary

Chapter Four Situational Analysis and Economic Theory

Rationality and Economic Theory

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C O N T E N T S

Situational Analysis and Economic Theory Explaining Voter Turnout: Rational Choice versus Situational Analysis Untangling Complex Patterns of Interaction Summary

Chapter Five

Popper’s Debt to Marx

Popper’s Critique of Marx Popper’s Debt to Marx Popper and the Analytical Marxists Summary

Chapter Six The Shortcomings of Situational Analysis

The Limited Range of Situational Analysis Irrationality and Situational Analysis Elster’s Model of Revolutions Summary

Conclusion

Notes

References

Index

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Acknowledgments

I owe a debt of gratitude to a number of people who have commented on parts of this manuscript during its development, especially James Farr and Terence Ball. I am also grateful to Jane Bunker at SUNY Press for taking on the book and to Laurie Searl for seeing me through the publication process.

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