Philosophy of Social Science

Description

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 for students in both philosophy and the social sciences. Topics include ontology, objectivity, method, measurement, and causal inference, and such issues as well-being and climate change.

• An essential guide for students
• Presents a choice of exciting topics
• A team of top authors introduce the latest thinking in the field
• Clear and accessible explanations
• Written for both philosophy students and students in the social sciences
• Reflects recent changes and developments within a reinvigorated discipline

About the Author(s)

Edited by Nancy Cartwright, Durham University and University of California, San Diego, and Eleonora Montuschi, University of Venice and London School of Economics

Nancy Cartwright is Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy, University of Durham and at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Her research interests include philosophy and history of science (especially physics and economics), causal inference, objectivity, and evidence, especially on evidence-based policy.

Eleonora Montuschi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage at the University of Venice, and Senior Research Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is a philosopher of science working on scientific objectivity, the theory and practice of evidence, and methodological issues of the social sciences.

Table of Contents

Introduction
PART I. Current Debates
1:Well-being, Anna Alexandrova
2:Climate change, Wendy Parker
3:Evidence-based policy, Eileen Munro
4:Community-based collaborative archaeology, Alison Wylie
PART II. Ontological Issues
5:Social ontology, Deborah Tollefsen
6:Individuals or population?, Helen Longino
PART III. Questions About Objectivity
7:Scientific objectivity, Eleonora Montuschi
8:Feminist standpoint theory, Sharon Crasnow
9:Values in social science, Heather Douglas
PART IV. Using Formal Models
10:Choice models, Katie Steele
11:Norms, conventions, and the power of expectations, Cristina Bicchieri
PART V. Methodological Perspectives
12:Interdisciplinarity in action, Sophia Efstathiou and Zara Mirmalek
13:Social epistemology in practice, Miriam Solomon
PART VI. Research Methods
14:Measurement, Nancy Cartwright and Rosa Runhardt
15:Case studies, Mary Morgan
16:Causal inference, Nancy Cartwright

Reviews

"...the book showcases contributions by experts who provide an introduction to their area of competence with an accessible and fresh style. The result is sixteen chapters about debates of major concern to the philosophers of social science, which, while providing some background knowledge of the specific subject, often do so by giving it a novel or original twist. Overall, the style and structure of the book seem designed more to raise the curiosity of those new to the field than to systematically inform about the current state of affairs in the philosophy of the social sciences. In so doing, the book distances itself to some extent from other similar manuals, aspires to interest a broad and diverse audience, and qualifies as a good teaching resource." - Attilia Ruzzene, Metascience

"will broaden and deepen readers' understanding of science ... Recommended." - R. Hudelson, CHOICE