03232nam 22006252 450 991078434350332120151005020621.01-107-16815-50-511-64847-20-511-21942-30-511-56903-30-511-60703-20-511-22010-39780521861403 (hbk.)9780521378582 (pbk.)(CKB)1000000000352169(EBL)261145(OCoLC)171139316(SSID)ssj0000283446(PQKBManifestationID)11912539(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000283446(PQKBWorkID)10249860(PQKB)10903279(UkCbUP)CR9780511607035(MiAaPQ)EBC261145(Au-PeEL)EBL261145(CaPaEBR)ebr10130403(OCoLC)124039331(EXLCZ)99100000000035216920090910d2006|||| uy| 0engur|||||||||||txtrdacontentcrdamediacrrdacarrierA realist philosophy of social science explanation and understanding /Peter T. Manicas[electronic resource]Cambridge :Cambridge University Press,2006.1 online resource (ix, 225 pages) digital, PDF file(s)Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).0-521-67858-7 0-521-86140-3 Includes bibliographical references (p. 200-216) and index.Explanation and understanding -- Theory, experiment and the metaphysics of Laplace -- Explanation and understanding in the social sciences -- Agents and generative social mechanisms -- Social science and history -- Markets as social mechanisms -- Appendix A: The limits of multiple regression -- Appendix B: Comparison, Mill's methods and narrative -- Appendix C: Rational choice theory and historical sociology -- Appendix D: The neo-classical model.This introduction to the philosophy of social science provides an original conception of the task and nature of social inquiry. Peter Manicas discusses the role of causality seen in the physical sciences and offers a reassessment of the problem of explanation from a realist perspective. He argues that the fundamental goal of theory in both the natural and social sciences is not, contrary to widespread opinion, prediction and control, or the explanation of events (including behaviour). Instead, theory aims to provide an understanding of the processes which, together, produce the contingent outcomes of experience. Offering a host of concrete illustrations and examples of critical ideas and issues, this accessible book will be of interest to students of the philosophy of social science, and social scientists from a range of disciplines.Social sciencesPhilosophySocial sciencesPhilosophy.300.108.44bclManicas Peter T.133443UkCbUPUkCbUPBOOK9910784343503321A realist philosophy of social science3676778UNINA