Understanding Social Science: Philosophical Introduction to the Social Sciences - Hardcover

Trigg, Roger

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0631218718 ISBN 13: 9780631218715

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2000

Synopsis

In this lucid and engaging introductory volume on the nature of society, Roger Trigg examines the scientific basis of social science and shows that philosophical presuppositions are a necessary starting point for the study of society.

About this title

From the Back Cover

In this lucid and engaging analysis of the nature of society, Roger Trigg examines the scientific basis of social science and shows that philosophical presuppositions are a necessary starting point for the study of society.

This second edition contains three new chapters that demonstrate the relationship of the philosophy of social science to politics, and takes into account recent developments including the impact of rational choice theory, and attacks on the possibility of reason by postmodernists.

Themes in the book include the relation of individual to society, the basis of our understanding of other societies, and the character of social reality. Is there such a thing as society? What of the threat of relativism? These and other questions are examined in depth, but with a clarity that introduces the issues to those new to the subject.

About the Author

Roger Trigg is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick. His most recent books include Rationality and Science (Blackwell, 1993), Rationality and Religion (Blackwell, 1998), the widely-read Ideas of Human Nature (second edition, Blackwell, 1999), and Philosophy Matters (Blackwell, forthcoming).

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0631218718
• ISBN 13: 9780631218715
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 280