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Explanatory and non-explanatory goals in the social sciences: A reply to Reiss

Philosophy of the Social Sciences 38 (2):271-278 (2008)

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Do we need mechanisms in the social sciences?Julian Reiss - 2007 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences 37 (2):163-184.details A recent movement in the social sciences and philosophy of the social sciences focuses on mechanisms as a central analytical unit. Starting from a pluralist perspective on the aims of the social sciences, I argue that there are a number of important aims to which knowledge about mechanisms—whatever their virtues relative to other aims—contributes very little at best and that investigating mechanisms is therefore a methodological strategy with fairly limited applicability. Key Words: social science • mechanisms • explanation • critical (...) realism • methodology. (shrink) Download Export citation Bookmark 30 citations
Consequences of realism for sociological theory-building.Thomas Brante - 2001 - Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour 31 (2):167–195.details It is argued that the Achilles heel of contemporary sociology-and great parts of social science-is a) weak theory development, and b) absence of a meta-theory providing a common platform and a shared goal for its practitioners, fostering cumulativity. A meta-theory called causal realism (a variant of critical realism) is suggested for these purposes. The main tenets and key concepts of realism, such as causality and explanation, mechanism, stratified reality, are presented. Thereafter, via an anology to the physical sciences, it is (...) Download Export citation Bookmark 15 citations
With or Without Mechanisms.Daniel Steel - 2007 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences 37 (3):360-365.details This reply to Erik Weber's commentary agrees that mechanisms are important for causal inference in social science, but argues that Weber makes the mistake that was the main focus of my original essay: inferring that since a problem cannot be solved without mechanisms, it can be solved with them. As it stands, this inference is invalid since the problem might be unsolvable with or without mechanisms. Any claim about the usefulness of mechanisms for some purpose requires an adequate account of (...) Download Export citation Bookmark 2 citations
The Elements of Social Theory.Barry Barnes - 2014details A significant contribution to the development of social theory which provides a comprehensive summary of the various traditions. Barnes offers an accessible introduction for undergraduates which presents his own arguments along the way.; It is intended that this work will be adopted on undergraduate and postgraduate courses on social theory within social and political science. It will also appeal to students of social psychology, social anthropology and social geography. Download Export citation Bookmark 22 citations

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