Karl Popper and the social sciences
By: William A. Gorton.
Series: SUNY series in the philosophy of the social sciences
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Albany
Language: eng
Number of pages: 145
ISBN-13: 9780791466612; 9780791466629
Subjects: Popper, Karl Raimund, Sir, 1902-; Social sciences -- Methodology; Social sciences -- Philosophy; Political science; Economics
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."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Popperian situational analysis; title: Metaphysics, realism, and situational analysis; title: Social laws, the unity of scientific method, and situational analysis; title: Situational analysis and economic theory; title: Popper's debt to Marx; title: The shortcomings of situational analysis.