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Modes of explanation in social science
How do people analyze the causes of social events and phenomena?
What do they focus on in their discussions and how do they define
major concepts? What sort of forces do they cite as more "fundamental"
than others?
Suppose: A causes B
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For an idealist (1), A is an ideal factor.
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Idealists emphasize "ideal" factors. Reality is
basically made up of spirt. Spiritual forces or people's states
of mind are the most important factors to look at to understand
society. |
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For a materialist (2), A is a material factor.
- physical
- environmental
- economic
- concrete
- historical
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Physical, environmental, economic, or concrete
historical conditions are the most important factors to look
at to understand society according to the materialist. |
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Dialectical materialism (Marxism)
Synthesis of 1 and 2 with emphasis on 2 + the philosophy
of internal relations
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The Materialist Conception of History:
"The production of the material means of subsistence and the
economic development of a people forms the basis for the social
and political institutions created as well as for the legal
conceptions and ideology that arises.(Engels) |
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Many philosophies of social science try to avoid determinism
or reductionism. These approaches are often called dogmatic
or fundamentalist.
Determinism: A causes B and it could not be otherwise.
Reductionism: B can be completely explained by reference
to A (with no left overs).
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